Officers responding to a suspected shoplifting incident on June 1 found a Mays Landing man in illegal possession of a deer and crack cocaine.
Stafford police say officers went to ShopRite on Route 72 west and discovered 23-year-old Matthew Keithley carrying a reusable shopping bag in the area.
As the officers spoke to Keithley, they witnessed a fawn poke its head out of the bag.
Police say the suspect lied about his identity and tried to flee the scene after they informed him that he was being detained for illegally possessing the deer.
Officers also found crack cocaine on Keithley following
his arrest. He is being held in Ocean County jail.
Authorities say the deer was returned to the wild.