A grocery store heist involving high-end meats and a waiting rideshare driver ended in arrests Wednesday afternoon after a witness used their own vehicle to block the suspects from fleeing.
Paramus Police responded to the Lidl on Route 17 South at approximately 12:04 p.m. following reports of a shoplifting in progress.
According to police, a witness watched two women fill multiple shopping bags with steaks and fresh salmon before walking out of the store without paying.
In a bold move to prevent the suspects from leaving, the witness used their red Jeep to physically block the suspects’ blue Honda Civic in the parking lot until officers arrived.
When patrol officers reached the scene, they found the two vehicles pinned together. The suspects, identified as Christie A. Moss, 50, of Upper Saddle River, and Simone S. Bullock, 37, of Hackensack, were standing outside the Honda.
During the roadside investigation, officers spotted four shopping bags sitting in plain view on the Honda’s rear seat. The bags contained the unpaid steaks and salmon, valued at $808.27.
Police soon discovered that the Honda was not the suspects’ vehicle, but a rideshare car. The driver was reportedly still waiting for the women to pay for their fare when the arrest occurred.
Authorities say that while being questioned, Bullock provided a false name to officers. Investigators later determined she was attempting to conceal active warrants issued by the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office.
Both women were charged with possession of stolen property, transported to the Bergen County Jail, and are pending further court action.