Three charged in alleged retail theft scheme at Westfield Garden State Plaza mall
Police say the suspects are from Pennsylvania and Delaware.
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Three people are facing multiple charges after police say they stole thousands of dollars' worth of clothing and then tried to exchange the merchandise for gift cards.
According to the Paramus Police Department, Crime Suppression Unit Sergeant Keith Bland saw two men and one female entering multiple stores at Westfield Garden State Plaza mall in Paramus at about 8 p.m. Friday. Police say the individuals were attempting to return or exchange merchandise for gift cards.
The suspects - Johnny W. Ewell, 44, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Sylvette Sharon Wynn, 39, of Wilmington, Delaware; and Deshun G. Singleton, 24, of Media, Pennsylvania - were identified as being part of a suspected retail theft crew. The three individuals were allegedly trying to return items that had previously been stolen from Nordstrom and Lululemon, police said.
Following the attempted transaction, the suspects returned to a black Hyundai Elantra with Pennsylvania license plates. At that point, they were detained by police who later recovered additional stolen merchandise including 30 articles of clothing from Lululemon valued at $2,522 as well as shoes and clothing from other stores including Nordstrom, Alo, Walmart, Adidas and Uniqlo. In total, police recovered approximately $3,376 worth of stolen items.
The suspects were arrested and charged with multiple charges of possession of stolen property, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, theft, possession of a weapon and possession of stolen government identification.
During a search of the vehicle and suspects, officers also recovered a Black Glock 42 pellet gun, numerous stolen drivers' licenses, a passport and a pill bottle containing 14 Oxycodone pills.
Criminal complaints against Sylvette Sharon Wynn charging her with: Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, Possession of Stolen Property, Identity Theft, Theft by Deception, Possession of Stolen Government Identification and Passport.
Wynn and Singleton were released with summonses while Ewell was transported to the Bergen County Jail. All are awaiting future court appearances.
