Cedar Grove Police Charge Verona Man with Shoplifting, Robbery

Police arrested a Verona man early Saturday night after he pushed an employee after attempting to shoplift a can of Red Bull, police said.

According to a police report, 20-year-old Brett Kolich, of Verona, was observed by employees at CVS Pharmacy, 387 Pompton Ave., putting a can of Red Bull energy drink in his jacket pocket. Employees confronted Kolich, who attempted to return the item before pushing an employee out of the doorway of the store and running toward East Bradford Avenue.

Employees then flagged down Ptl. Michael Grasso, and notified him that a man had fled the store after a confrontation with store workers.

After identifying the suspect by reviewing the store's surveillance cameras, Police arrested and charged Kolich in connection with the incident, which was escalated to a robbery charge because he made physical contact with an employee. 

Cedar Grove Police Captain Richard Vanderstreet said in an interview that Kolich turned himself in later that night, and was subsequently arrested.

Kolich was processed on charges of shoplifting and robbery and later released pending an arraignment in Superior Court in Newark.