Same Man Stole from Two Hackettstown Stores in Two Days

HACKETTSTOWN, NJ — A Morris Plans man stole from a Hackettstown Shoprite Wine & Liquor on Sept. 24, and then from a Hackettstown CVS the next day, police said.

The man was identified as Joe Rich III, 36, of Morris Plans.

On Sept. 24 at about 9:15 p.m., the Hackettstown Police responded to a shoplifting complaint at Shoprite Wine & Liquors at 80 Main St. It was reported that Rich stole a 750ml Bowman vodka bottle with a value of $8. He placed it under his sweatshirt and left the shop, police said.

The next day at about 8 p.m., officers received a call about a shoplifting complaint at the CVS Pharmacy at 85 Main St. Rich placed four packages of Similac baby formula, with a total of $119.96, into a bag and left the CVS, police said.

Rich was charged on Sept. 27 with two counts of shoplifting. He was released pending a court appearance, police said.

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