Hoboken Shoplifters Crash Into Building On Garden Street: Police

HOBOKEN, NJ — A pair of Hudson County residents accused of shoplifting more than $1,000 worth of items from a Hoboken Rite-Aid were hospitalized on Sunday after their “getaway vehicle” crashed into a building on Garden Street, authorities said.

According to the Hoboken Police Department, officers responded to a report of a shoplifting incident at the Rite-Aid on Willow Avenue. Store personnel told the officers that a man and woman stole a cart full of items, loaded them into their car and drove away.

While the officers were investigating the alleged shoplifting, a call about a motor vehicle accident in the area of 13th and Garden streets went out to all HPD units. When the officers arrived at the scene of the crash, they found a car that had crashed into a nearby building.

Inside the heavily damaged car, police found a female driver and a male passenger who fit the descriptions of the shoplifters. Officers also “clearly observed” proceeds from the theft through the vehicle’s window, authorities said.

Due to the seriousness of the crash, emergency responders transported the driver, Mary Gamma, 38, of Union City, and the passenger, Reinaldo Santos, 26, of Jersey City, to Hoboken University Medical Center for treatment. According to police, both Gamma and Santos “appeared to be under the influence of alcohol or a controlled dangerous substance” at the time of their arrest.

A second vehicle was struck in the crash, but the driver wasn’t harmed and refused medical treatment. The building only sustained minor damage from the crash, police said.

While Gamma and Santos received treatment at the hospital, officers returned the stolen items to Rite-Aid, police stated.

After Gamma and Santos were discharged from the hospital, police transported them to HPD headquarters. There, officers tested Gamma’s breath samples, which “did not produce a blood alcohol level,” authorities said.

Police charged Gamma with shoplifting, driving under the influence within 1,000 feet of a school zone, reckless driving, improper passing and failure to stop.

Police charged Santos with shoplifting.

Gamma was released to a responsible party. Santos was remanded to the Hudson County Rehabilitation Center, authorities said.

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Photo via Hoboken Fire Department