A Sea Bright shoplifting arrest involving high-end liquor turned into a chaotic traffic stop when police intercepted a trio attempting to flee with nearly $1,000 in stolen merchandise. In Sea Bright, New Jersey, what started as a distraction theft at a local wine shop unraveled quickly due to alert employees and responsive officers. This case highlights how quickly a “routine” theft can escalate into serious conspiracy charges when a group works together to deceive business owners.
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Watch: Sea Bright Shoplifting Arrest Caught on Camera
Note: Pay close attention to the timestamp at 14:31 in the bodycam footage, where officers discover the “Tipsy Duck” label on the stolen merchandise, confirming the store owner’s specific description of the high-value item.
Full Story: How the Incident Unfolded
The incident began on April 13, 2024, around 2:10 PM, when the Sea Bright Police Department received a panic alarm from “Sea Bright Wine & Spirits” at 1060 Ocean Avenue. Employees reported a theft in progress involving three subjects—two males and one female. The group had allegedly worked in concert: one male distracted the clerk by asking questions about expensive champagne, while another male stuffed bottles of high-end liquor, including a Macallan 18 and Opus One, into his vest.
The suspects fled the scene, splitting up to evade capture. One male suspect fled on foot, while the other two, identified as Angie Rodriguez and Misael Cejas-Diaz, entered a Nissan (NJ Reg: A12SXR) and headed northbound on Ocean Avenue. Officer Hendricks and DSGT Huegel responded immediately, coordinating with Highlands PD, who spotted the vehicle near the Highlands Bridge and initiated a traffic stop at the entrance to Sandy Hook.
When officers arrived at the traffic stop, the situation became tense and confusing. The driver, Rodriguez, claimed she was an Uber driver merely giving a ride to Cejas-Diaz, whom she claimed to have picked up in Keyport. However, her story quickly fell apart. She could not produce an active Uber ride on her app and eventually admitted Cejas-Diaz was a “friend of a friend”.
Officers began piecing together the evidence. A search of the vehicle revealed a crucial piece of evidence: a box for Macallan 12 Year Old Single Malt. However, the box was empty, suggesting the contents had been moved or concealed. More damning was the discovery of a bottle labeled with a “Tipsy Duck” lanyard—a unique identifier described specifically by the store owner, priced at $110.
The investigation revealed a classic “bait and switch” distraction technique. While the first male (who fled on foot) occupied the clerk’s attention, the second male (Cejas-Diaz) and the female (Rodriguez) facilitated the theft and getaway. Despite Rodriguez’s initial denials and attempts to distance herself from the crime, the coordination between the three suspects was evident to the officers on the scene. Both Rodriguez and Cejas-Diaz were taken into custody, while the third suspect remained at large.
The Arrest: Charges Against Rodriguez and Cejas-Diaz
The Sea Bright shoplifting arrest resulted in serious charges due to the value of the items and the coordinated nature of the crime. The total value of the stolen goods was approximately $864.99.
| Charge | Simple Explanation | Potential Penalty (US) |
| Shoplifting (Retail Value $500-$74,999) | Stealing merchandise worth over $500. Graded as a 3rd-degree crime in NJ. | Up to 3-5 years in prison; fines up to $15,000. |
| Conspiracy to Commit Shoplifting | Planning and agreeing with others to commit a crime (theft). | Penalties similar to the underlying offense (3rd degree). |
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Legal Analysis: Was the Sea Bright Shoplifting Arrest Justified?
This Sea Bright shoplifting arrest provides a clear case study in police procedure regarding investigative stops and probable cause.
Fourth Amendment Check: The initial stop of the vehicle was legally sound. Highlands PD stopped the vehicle based on a specific description (NJ REG: A12SXR) provided by dispatch from an eyewitness (the store employee) immediately following a crime. This constitutes “reasonable suspicion” for an investigative detention (Terry stop). The subsequent discovery of the “Tipsy Duck” lanyard and the inconsistent stories provided “probable cause” for the arrest and search.
Police Protocol: The officers followed standard protocol by separating the suspects to question them individually. This technique quickly exposed the driver’s lie about being an Uber driver. Furthermore, the officers verified the specific merchandise description with the store owner via radio before making the arrests, ensuring the evidence matched the stolen property. The Miranda rights were read to the suspects at headquarters before formal questioning proceeded, adhering to constitutional protections against self-incrimination.
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5 Simple FAQs related to the charges in this case
What determines if shoplifting is a felony or a misdemeanor?
In most jurisdictions, the severity of a shoplifting charge is determined by the total value of the merchandise stolen.
Petty Theft/Misdemeanor: Usually applies if the value is low (e.g., under $200 or $500, depending on state laws).
Grand Theft/Felony (or 3rd/4th Degree Crimes): Applies if the value exceeds a certain threshold (e.g., over $500 or $1,000). The higher the value, the more severe the potential jail time.
What does “Conspiracy to Commit Shoplifting” mean?
A “Conspiracy” charge means that two or more people agreed to commit a crime together and took at least one step toward doing it.
You do not have to be the person who physically grabbed the item to be charged.
Simply planning the theft, driving the getaway car, or agreeing to act as a lookout can result in a conspiracy charge.
Can I be charged with shoplifting if I didn’t leave the store?
Yes. In many places, you can be charged with shoplifting (or “concealment of merchandise”) before you even exit the building.
If you conceal an item (put it in a pocket, bag, or under clothes) or alter price tags with the intent to steal, that is often enough for an arrest, even if you are still inside the store.
Can I be charged if I was just the driver or a distraction?
Yes. This is often referred to as “Accomplice Liability” or “Aiding and Abetting.”
If you knowingly assist in the crime—by distracting a clerk, blocking a security camera, or waiting in a car to drive the thief away—you can often be charged with the same crime as the person who actually stole the items.
Will a shoplifting charge stay on my criminal record permanently?
Generally, yes, unless you take specific legal steps.
A conviction usually remains on your background check indefinitely.
However, many first-time offenders may be eligible for “diversion programs” or “conditional discharge.” If completed successfully, these programs might allow the charge to be dismissed or eventually expunged (erased) from the record.
Conclusion & Current Status
Angie Rodriguez and Misael Cejas-Diaz were processed at Sea Bright Police Headquarters. They were charged with third-degree shoplifting and conspiracy. Due to bail reform guidelines, their history and the nature of the charges likely determined whether they were released on a summons or held in Monmouth County Jail. The third suspect, who fled on foot with additional stolen merchandise, was not immediately apprehended at the scene.
The Sea Bright shoplifting arrest serves as a warning to retail theft rings that local police departments are well-coordinated and communication between victims and dispatch is critical for swift apprehension.
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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.
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