By: Richard L. Smith
A Paterson police officer has been arrested and charged with shoplifting while working an overtime security shift at a local store, according to Passaic County officials.
The suspect, identified as 25-year-old Jeury DeJesus-Rodriguez of Paterson, was taken into custody without incident on August 22, 2024, in Totowa by members of the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office Public Integrity Unit.
According to Prosecutor Valdes said the officer was working an overtime shift providing security at Marshalls in Paterson when he allegedly shoplifted several items of clothing.
Passaic County officials claimed that DeJesus-Rodriguez took the items to an employee bathroom, removed the packaging and price tags, and left the store without paying for them. The total value of the stolen merchandise was $66.97.
Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes said DeJesus-Rodriguez faces charges of third-degree official misconduct and a disorderly persons offense of shoplifting.
A third-degree charge carries a potential sentence of up to five years in New Jersey State Prison, while the disorderly persons offense could result in up to 180 days of imprisonment.
The charges stem from an investigation led by the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office Public Integrity Unit, with assistance from the Paterson Police Department Internal Affairs Division.
DeJesus-Rodriguez is scheduled to appear for Central Judicial Processing on September 9, 2024.
The investigation is ongoing.
Prosecutor Valdes pointed all questions regarding Officer DeJesus-Rodriguez to the Paterson Police Department.