Monmouth County Corrections Officer Charged With Shoplifting

FREEHOLD, NJ - A Monmouth County Corrections officer is facing criminal charges after reportedly shoplifting at a West Long Branch home improvement store, authorities said.

Suzanne Simone, 53, of Ocean Township, a 22-year employee of the Monmouth County Correctional Institution in Freehold, was charged with third degree shoplifting in connection with “multiple instances where she failed to pay for items at a local home improvement store,” according to the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.

The charges follow an investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office which revealed that Simone “skip-scanned” items (scanning multiple smaller items) and not scanning larger items or pretending to scan them and leaving the store without paying for them on multiple occasions. The estimated value of the stolen goods totals $661.

In one instance, Simone was wearing her uniform while committing the theft, prosecutors said. Some of the stolen items were later recovered from her residence.

Simone is currently suspended from her position at the Monmouth County Correctional
Institution (MCCI) in Freehold.

“No one is above the law,” said Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni in a statement. “It is essential to our criminal justice system that officers maintain the public’s trust. This officer broke the law that she was sworn to uphold, all over a measly $600. “This conduct will not be tolerated and is a stain on the men and women in law enforcement who work tirelessly to serve their communities with honor.”

“Any member of law enforcement who violates their oath does a disservice to the public and
their fellow officers, and will be held fully accountable,” said Sheriff Shaun Golden.

Anyone with additional information regarding the incident is urged to contact the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Det. Greg Hilton at 1-800-533-7443.

Anyone who feels the need to remain anonymous, but has information about a crime can
submit a tip to Monmouth County Crime Stoppers by calling their confidential telephone tip-line at 1-800-671-4400; by downloading and using the free P3 Tips mobile app (available on iOS and Android -https://www.p3tips.com/1182), by calling 800-671-4400 or by going to the website at www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com

The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office has instituted a corruption tip line designed to solicit the public’s assistance in identifying and targeting corruption, fraud and misconduct occurring in local governmental agencies. Citizens may report concerns by calling the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Corruption Tip Line at 855-7-UNJUST (855 786-5878) or emailing corruption@mcponj.org with “Corruption/Misconduct Tip” in the subject line.