Teen's bid to swipe $22K in jewelry from mall store foiled: police - NJ.com
A teen stole more than $20,000 in jewelry from a Newport mall store, but he was caught by two alert Port Authority police officers before he could get out of the building, authorities said.
Shawn Nelson, 19, walked into a jewelry store at the Downtown Jersey City mall Tuesday at 11:15 a.m., looked at some items and said he would return to purchase them, Port Authority police spokesman Joe Pentangelo said.
The Rocky Mount, North Carolina man returned 30 minutes later and tried on two gawdy gold chains and then fled with them still around his neck, Port Authority police were told by the store's owner and manager.
Port Authority Police Officer James Herkenham and Sgt. Hector Martinez -- who were in the mall having lunch during a break from a training session -- heard the commotion and chased Nelson, Pentangelo said.
They caught up to Nelson in the Sears store, where Nelson fought with the officers before being subdued and handcuffed, said Pentangelo, who noted that Nelson still had the gold chains around his neck.
Nelson was identified as the thief by both the jewelry store manager and owner, who said the total value of the stolen jewelry was $22,120. He was charged with shoplifting, drug possession and resisting arrest, Pentangelo said.
