Serial Shoplifter Arrested After Stealing Women's Golf Clubs: Police

PARAMUS, NJ — A serial shoplifter was arrested Tuesday after police said he stole $800 worth in golf clubs and a bag from the PGA Superstore on Route 17 South earlier this month.

Police responded to the store Monday after an employee attempted to stop Anthony Cervino, 46, of Nutley, from fleeting the store with women's golf clubs and a bag worth $800, said Paramus Police Deputy Chief Robert Guidetti.

The employee tried to stop Cervino, but he hurt his arm after it became stuck in the closing door of the blue Toyota 4Runner Cervino was in, Guidetti said.

Cervino fled onto the southbound Garden State Parkway and police responded to the store to investigate, the deputy chief said.

Police reviewed surveillance video and discovered that the Toyota used was similar to one used in two other theft incidents police were investigating; detectives were familiar with Cervino from a prior shoplifting investigation that led to his arrest in 2014, police said.

Authorities positively identified Cervino as the person who committed the robbery, Guidetti said. Detectives arrested Cervino Tuesday in Newark, he said.

Cervino admitted in a video statement to four similar incidents that occurred in Paramus and he was charged with robbery and three counts of shoplifting, police said.

Send local news tips, photos, and press releases to daniel.hubbard@patch.com. Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.

Photo: Anthony Cervino, 46 — Paramus Police Department