Manchester Rite Aid Shoplifting Probe Uncovers Multi-Town Spree

MANCHESTER, NJ -- A pair of Brooklyn men have been charged in connection with a $500 theft from a Manchester pharmacy, and authorities say they are tied to numerous shoplifting incidents in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Lasha Dekanoidze, 35, and Giorgi Adeishvili, 38, both of Brooklyn, New York, turned themselves in to Manchester police on Monday, Capt. Vincent Manco said.

Manco said Dekanoidze and Adeishvili are accused of shoplifting $500 worth of cold and cough medications from the Rite Aid on June 18. Patrolman Michael Terranova obtained surveillance footage of the pair, and learned the two were suspects in pharmacy shoplifting incidents in Toms River and in Springfield, Manco said.

Detective Joseph Fastige learned various towns in Pennsylvania and New York also had shoplifting incidents involving the same suspects, and with help from Detective Jeff McGee of the Plymouth Township Police Department in Pennsylvania identified Dekanoidze and Adeishvili, Manco said.

Dekanoidze and Adeishvili have been charged with third-degree shoplifting in Manchester, Msnco said.

"Based on this investigation, Dekanoidze and Adeishvilli have been linked to additional unsolved shoplifting incidents throughout New Jersey," Manco said. "The information obtained by Detective Fastige was shared with other law enforcement agencies and will likely result in future criminal charges."

In accordance with New Jersey bail reform, Dekanoidze was released on a summons; Adeishvili was taken to the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.

"The Manchester Township Police Department would like to thank the Plymouth Township Police Department (PA), the Lower Merion Township Police Department (PA), the Wright Township Police Department (PA), the Toms River Police Department, the Springfield Township Police Department, and the Rite Aid Organized Retail Crime Investigation section for their collective and cooperative assistance in this investigation," Manco said.

Anyone with information regarding any investigations are encouraged to contact the Manchester Township Police Department at 732-657-6111. As a reminder, anonymous tips can be submitted online at www.manchesterpolicenj.com. Tips may also be submitted through private messages on the department's social media pages (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tik Tok).

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