A routine trip to a local retailer turned into a high-stakes Middletown NJ Shoplifting Arrest when a woman allegedly attempted to walk out with a cart full of unpaid merchandise.
The incident unfolded in Middletown, New Jersey, leaving shoppers stunned as police moved in. What seemed like a simple misunderstanding quickly turned into a legal nightmare for the suspect involved.
Table of Contents
Watch: Middletown NJ Shoplifting Arrest Caught on Camera
Note: Pay close attention to the timestamp at 08:42:29 where the officer explains the suspect went through self-checkout but failed to scan the majority of the items in the cart.
Full Story: How the Incident Unfolded
The situation began on the evening of October 26, 2023, at a Target store in Monmouth County. Officer T. Walden of the Middletown Police Department responded to the scene following reports of a retail theft in progress.
According to police records, Sharlene King, 55, was observed using the self-checkout lanes. While she did scan and pay for three items, the rest of her cart remained unpaid for.
“This is stuff you didn’t scan in with that cart outside the door,” the officer noted during the encounter. King reportedly attempted to leave the store with a cart of merchandise totaling $175.90 without paying.
During the Middletown NJ Shoplifting Arrest, King appeared nervous, mentioning her son and her work. She initially claimed she did not have her driver’s license on her person.
“I just don’t want my son… I was very nervous,” King told the officers as they began their investigation. Despite her explanation, the evidence on the store’s video surveillance showed a clear discrepancy between what was scanned and what was in the cart.
The officer confirmed that the suspect only scanned three items out of the entire cart. This led to a formal processing at the Middletown Police headquarters.
The Arrest: Charges Against Sharlene King
Following the investigation at the scene, King was taken into custody and charged under New Jersey state statutes.
| Charge | Simple Explanation | Potential Penalty (US) |
| 2C:20-11C(4) / 2C:20-11B(4) | Shoplifting – Retail (Value less than $200) | Up to 6 months in jail; fines up to $1,000 |
King was issued a Complaint-Summons, requiring her to appear in court to answer for the disorderly persons offense.
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Legal Analysis: Was the Middletown NJ Shoplifting Arrest Justified?
From a legal perspective, the actions taken by the Middletown Police Department appear to follow standard New Jersey criminal procedure.
Fourth Amendment Check The Fourth Amendment protects citizens against unreasonable searches and seizures. In this case, the “probable cause” was established by the store’s surveillance footage and the physical presence of unpaid merchandise in the suspect’s cart beyond the point of sale.
Police Protocol Officer Walden utilized a “Complaint-Summons” rather than a warrant for the initial arrest. This is standard for disorderly persons offenses where the suspect has no significant prior history and is not considered a flight risk.
During the transcript, the officer even offered King a ride back to her car after processing at headquarters, noting she should not be driving without a valid license.
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here are 5 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) based on the legal charges and procedures
What is the difference between a “Complaint-Summons” and a “Complaint-Warrant” in New Jersey?
In this case, the suspect was issued a Complaint-Summons. A summons is typically used for lower-level offenses—like a disorderly persons shoplifting charge—allowing the individual to be released with a promise to appear in court later. A warrant, conversely, usually requires the suspect to be held in jail until they see a judge for a detention hearing.
How does New Jersey classify shoplifting based on the value of the goods?
New Jersey law categorizes shoplifting by the retail value of the items taken. In this incident, the value was less than $200 , which is classified as a Disorderly Persons (DP) offense. If the value exceeds $200, the charge is elevated to a “crime” (felony level), which carries much harsher penalties and potential prison time.
Can you be charged with shoplifting if you paid for some items but not others?
Yes. Shoplifting doesn’t just mean walking out with a completely full, unpaid cart. Under statute 2C:20-11B, purposely depriving a merchant of the value of merchandise—such as scanning only three items while leaving others in the cart unpaid—is legally considered shoplifting.
What happens if a suspect is caught driving without a license during an arrest?
During this investigation, the officer discovered the suspect did not have a valid driver’s license. While not the primary charge for the theft, police can issue additional traffic tickets or forbid the individual from driving away from the scene
. In this case, the officer advised the suspect she “shouldn’t be driving” and offered a ride back to her vehicle after processing.
Are “Disorderly Persons” offenses considered criminal records in the US?
While a Disorderly Persons offense in New Jersey is not technically a “felony,” a conviction still results in a criminal record. This record will show up on most background checks conducted by employers or landlords unless the individual later successfully applies for an expungement (legal clearing of the record).
Conclusion & Current Status
Sharlene King was processed and released from custody on the same night as the incident. She was scheduled for a mandatory court appearance at the Monmouth County Courts on November 9, 2023.
The items she did pay for were returned to her, while the unpaid merchandise was recovered by the store. The case serves as a reminder of the sophisticated surveillance systems used by major retailers to combat retail theft at self-checkout stations.
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Disclaimer: All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This report is based on official police records and bodycam transcripts provided by the Middletown Police Department.
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