Men, Women Stole From East Brunswick Toys R Us, Police Say

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — What a bunch of Grinches!

Two men and two women were apprehended Tuesday night after police said they shoplifted nearly $1,500 worth of toys from the East Brunswick Toys R Us. The people, all local to the Central Jersey area, left the store with a "shopping cart" full of miscellaneous toys, police said, and did not appear to be targeting any hot items in particular. Police also said the suspects did not mention if they needed the toys for their children.

East Brunswick police were called to the Rt. 18 Toys R Us at approximately 8:15 p.m. Tuesday for a report of a shoplifting. Store security said the men left in a car and a description of the getaway car was broadcast. Patrolmen Ryan Hensperger and Matthew Kole saw the car on the Cranbury Road overpass and stopped the car in South River.

A search of the vehicle revealed $1,486.34 worth of stolen merchandise from Toys R Us inside, police said. The two men and two women inside were questioned by police and one of them tried to run from the officers, they said.

The four occupants of the vehicle, Charles Hayler, 39, of Somerset, NJ, Joshaun Williams, 34, of Trenton, NJ, Mecheka Miranda, 27, of New Brunswick and Quadirah Banks, 32 of North Brunswick, were all charged with shoplifting and possession of stolen property.

"They didn’t focus on one particular item or toy," said East Brunswick police spokesman Lt. Sean Goggins. "They just grabbed what they could and hit the door."

Additionally, Williams was charged with resisting arrest, hindering and possession of marijuana after he attempted to flee from officers during the investigation. Banks was also charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance (Xanax).

Google Earth screenshot of the Toys R Us on Rt. 18 in East Brunswick.