After Running Out of Macy's With Stolen Shirts, Suspect Leads Police on High-Speed Chase

A Bergen County man was arrested on Thursday afternoon for allegedly stealing designer shirts from Macy’s and leading Livingston police on a high-speed chase, according to Det. Sgt. Anthony Dippold.

James Bogar Jr., 41, of Fairview, was arrested at his home and taken to Livingston Police headquarters. He was charged with robbery and eluding police, Dippold said.

The crimes began around 5:45 p.m. Wednesday. The suspect was caught leaving Macy’s with eight Polo shirts valued at $556. He knocked down a security guard, and – while being chased by Macy’s security -- ran from the store to his car, Dippold said.

Livingston Det. Christopher Reinhardt was near the store in the Livingston Mall parking lot when he witnessed the store’s security chasing the suspect. He pursued Bogar's car on South Orange Avenue until the suspect began driving at a high-rate of speed and on the wrong side of the road, Dippold said.

“He broke off the chase when it became too dangerous,” Dippold said.

Livingston police were able to identify the suspect from his car’s license tags ad surveillance video, Dippold said.

Livingston municipal court issued a warrant for his arrest and Bogar was picked up at his home without incident around 1 p.m. Thursday, Dippold said.

Bail was set at $75,000.

At the same time, Bogar was hit with additional charges by police in Millburn who had an active warrant for his arrest since Oct. 2010. He was charged with allegedly shoplifting three designer handbags worth $1,950 from Nordstrom's at the Short Hills Mall, Millburn police said.