Howell Teen Charged In Theft Of 100 Packs Of Cigarettes: Police

HOWELL, NJ — A Howell Township man has been charged with shoplifting more than 100 packs of cigarettes from Walmart after tipsters identified him surveillance footage, Howell police said Thursday.

DeShaun A. Lewis, 18, of Howell, was arrested Wednesday and charged with shoplifting, Howell police said. The cigarettes were valued at more than $900, police said.

Police said Lewis is accused of stuffing his backpack with cigarettes at the Walmart in Howell in Jan. 12, and then leaving the store.

"The theft was discovered after Lewis left the store, at which time police were contacted," Howell police said.

A photo of the suspect, now identified as Lewis, was circulated on social media on the police department's Facebook page and with the help of other local outlets on Tuesday, resulting in several tips immediately from multiple members of the public, Howell police said.

Lewis was identified, and ultimately confirmed as the person in the photo, police said. When he was arrested on Wednesday, he confessed to the theft and was charged with third-degree shoplifting, and released on a criminal summons, police said.

Some of the cigarettes were recovered at Lewis's home and will be returned to Walmart, police said.

"The Howell Police Department again thanks the public, whose continued cooperation and support are relied upon for success," police said on Facebook.

Image via Howell Township Police Department