$3,400 Retail Gift Card Scheme Unraveled at Garden State Plaza: Out-of-State Trio Arrested in Paramus

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

PARAMUS, N.J. — An observant police sergeant helped bust an out-of-state retail theft ring attempting a high-value gift card scam inside Westfield Garden State Plaza.

The bust resulted in the recovery of nearly $3,400 in stolen designer merchandise, along with stolen government IDs, prescription drugs, and a replica firearm, according to Paramus Police Chief Robert Guidetti.

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Busted at Garden State Plaza: How the Gift Card Scam Worked

At approximately 8:00 p.m., Crime Suppression Unit Sgt. Keith Bland spotted three suspects entering multiple stores across Westfield Garden State Plaza. The trio was attempting to return or exchange high-end clothing and luxury goods—originally stolen from stores including Lululemon and Nordstrom—in exchange for store gift cards.

Following the observation, Sgt. Anthony Mordaga and Officer Frank Licari intercepted and detained the group as they returned to a Hyundai Elantra bearing Pennsylvania license plates.

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Over $3,300 in Stolen Designer Goods & Weapons Recovered

A search of the suspects’ vehicle revealed thousands of dollars in high-end apparel, stolen identification documents, and an illegal pellet gun:

• Lululemon: 30 articles of clothing ($2,522 value)

• Nordstrom: Designer sneakers and apparel ($564 total value)

• Alo Yoga: 2 articles of clothing ($122 value)

• Walmart & Uniqlo: Multiple clothing items ($168.30 total value)

• Contraband: A Glock 42 pellet gun, stolen driver’s licenses, a stolen passport, and 14 prescription Oxycodone pills.

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Three Out-of-State Suspects Facing Serious Federal & State Charges

Paramus police identified and charged the three individuals involved:

• Johnny W. Ewell (44) of Philadelphia, PA: Charged with possession of stolen property, possession of stolen government ID, illegal weapons possession, theft by deception, and possession of a firearm as a convicted felon. Ewell was remanded to the Bergen County Jail.

• Sylvette Sharon Wynn (39) of Wilmington, DE: Charged with possession of stolen property, stolen government ID, weapons possession, theft by deception, identity theft, identity theft by deception, possession of a stolen passport, and possession of Oxycodone without a prescription.

• Deshun G. Singleton (24) of Media, PA: Charged with possession of stolen property, stolen government ID, and illegal weapons possession.

Both Wynn and Singleton were released on summonses pending future court appearances in Bergen County.

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