Shoplifting Case Continued For Point Pleasant Detective Sergeant

BRICK, NJ — The case involving a suspended Point Pleasant detective sergeant who is facing charges of shoplifting has been continued until September, a court official said Thursday.

Joshua H. Gunnell, 41, has not yet entered a plea to the charges filed against him, said Anthony J. Destribats, Brick Township's municipal prosecutor.

Gunnell initially was charged June 25 with shoplifting, accused of scanning only one item in his cart at the Walmart self-checkout on Route 88, the Asbury Park Press reported. He hid other items under recyclable shopping bags, the report said.

He is accused of stealing items worth a total between $200 and $499, according to court records.

Gunnell was in court on July 12 on the initial charge. Court records show he was charged on July 27 with two counts of shoplifting-underringing in connection with incidents on June 4 and June 15, according to court records.

Destribats said a final pretrial conference would be held in 30 days.

Gunnell's salary was $141,840 as of Dec. 31, 2021, according to the DataUniverse database of New Jersey public salaries and pensions, and he has worked for the Point Pleasant Police Department since 2008.

Gunnell initially was suspended with pay, but that suspension was changed to without pay on Aug. 7, Point Pleasant Capt. Christopher Leonhardt said.

"The Point Pleasant Police Department is aware of the additional shoplifting charges filed against Sgt. Joshua Gunnell by the Brick Township Walmart," Leonhardt said. "These allegations are very serious and are being handled consistent with Attorney General directives, policies and procedures in coordination with the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office. Sgt. Gunnell will remain suspended, but without pay effective immediately."

Note: This article has been updated with comment from the Point Pleasant Police Department.