Men Shoplifted From Linden Kohl's, Police Say

LINDEN, NJ — Four Newark men were arrested after trying to steal over $5,500 worth of merchandise from the Kohl's on Rt. 1 in Linden, Linden Police announced Monday.

This happened at about 9:50 p.m. Saturday: Officers were called to the Kohls, located at 1901 E Edgar Rd, on reports of a shoplifting in progress.

The first Linden police officer arrived and tried to stop two of the suspects, but was pushed to the ground during the struggle. The suspects ran from the store into a nearby car that drove from the store towards Route 1.

Officers found the car on Route 1 as it made a U-turn at the Phillips 66 Domestic Sales entrance. The car was stopped on Route 1 north just before the I-278E entrance ramp.

As police approached the car the doors opened, and two suspects got out. The suspects refused to comply with repeated commands and began to walk from the scene. Officers confronted the suspects, who resisted their attempts to detain them and attempted to get back into the car.

One suspect was removed from the car, however, the three other occupants continued to fight the officers. Officers used OC spray to gain control of the remaining suspects, who were then removed from the car and placed under arrest.

Three of the suspects were treated on scene for OC exposure. One suspect was later treated at a local hospital for an unrelated medical event and subsequently released. Several officers were injured during the incident, one of whom required further treatment at a local hospital. He has since been released.

The suspects were positively identified by Kohl's employees. All of the stolen merchandise was recovered on scene and returned.

Isiah Banks, 30, and Lamont Ellis, 23, are charged with third-degree shoplifting, resisting arrest and aggravated assault on a police officer. Banks is also charged with fourth-degree hindering Tanajah Loyal, 19, is charged with third-degree shoplifting and resisting arrest, as well as fourth-degree obstruction. Shaquille Hargrove, 27, is charged with fourth-degree obstruction.

This incident remains under investigation, and anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Detective James Garrison at (908) 474-8045.