Jersey City Man Tries To Shoplift 51 Packs Of Bacon In Hoboken: Police

HOBOKEN, NJ — A Jersey City man was arrested Monday for trying to steal 51 packages of bacon from the Hoboken ShopRite, according to police.

George Xenakis, 33, was charged with shoplifting, drug possession, and hindering apprehension.

A store official called the cops when he saw Xenakis drop a laundry bag full of bacon and flee, said police.

Sgt. Roary Miller caught up with Xenakis outside the store on Madison Street and arrested him, officials said.

Police searched the Jersey City man and found he had a substance they suspect was crack cocaine, officials said.

Officials estimate the bacon was worth about $260.

Police said that Xenakis also had been arrested by Union City police for shoplifting on Nov. 15.

Xenakis was taken to the Hudson County Correctional Facility.

Shoplifting At Walgreens

Marino Ortiz, of Union City, was also arrested Monday on shoplifting charges at the Walgreens at 1320 Shipyard Lane, police said.

Officers found Ortiz — who wore a zipped and bulging jacket — about 6:30 p.m., police said.

Store surveillance video showed Ortiz filling his backpack with merchandise, police said. During a search incident to arrest, merchandise fell out of Ortiz’s jacket, police said.

Officers located more merchandise under his sweatshirt, in his coat pocket, and in a backpack, police said. The items found amounted to $1,375.02, police said.

Ortiz was transported to police headquarters where it was learned he had three open warrants for shoplifting in Hoboken, police said.

He charged, processed on the warrants, and taken to the Hudson County Correctional Facility.

What's Driving The Trend?

News reports have said that shoplifting is on the rise, and that some of the perpetrators are able to sell hauls of multiple small items — some as small as ice cream or toiletries — to other grocery stores or even to pawn shops for resale.