Mahwah Police Arrest Man In Connection With $190K Home Depot Shoplifting Ring

MAHWAH, N.J. — Police arrested a man with an extensive criminal history they believe is part of a shoplifting ring responsible for stealing $190,000 worth of merchandise from Home Depot stores.

Officer Tyler Boucher stopped a 2003 BMW 321 with a Florida license plate for two motor violations on Route 17 South at noon Tuesday, police said.

The driver, Keith E. Long, 46, of Bronx, New York, gave conflicting answers to questions Boucher asked him. He was taken to police headquarters and the BMW impounded, said Chief James Batelli.

Police obtained a search warrant for the vehicle. They found a “large number” of merchandise return cards and several items from various Home Depot stores outside of New Jersey inside it, Batelli said.

Police contacted Home Depot’s corporate office and spoke with company personnel at police headquarters.

Company officials told police that Long was suspected of being part of a large shoplifting ring of Home Depot stores involved in the theft of $190,000 in merchandise, Batelli said.

Police discovered Long had been arrested 19 times and has an extensive criminal history, Batelli said. He was convicted five times and is currently on federal parole.  Charges previously filed against Long include murder, aggravated assault, distribution of a controlled dangerous substance in a school zone, and other weapons-related charges, police said.

Police contacted his parole officer, who told them that Long was not allowed to be in New Jersey, the chief said.

Long was charged with two counts of possession of stolen property. Mahwah Municipal Court Judge Russell Teschon set Long’s bail at $75,000 with no 10 percent option, police said. Long was taken to the Bergen County Jail in lieu of bail and the Federal Parole Office is reviewing his parole status and violation, Batelli said.

Mahwah and other local police departments and Home Depot corporate security continue to investigate the shoplifting ring.

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