The “Booster Bag” Fail: Two Arrested in Massive $17,000 Garden State Plaza Heist
file photo by Boyd Loving
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Paramus NJ, They say Friday the 13th is a day for bad luck, but for two alleged shoplifters at the Westfield Garden State Plaza, that superstition became a reality. What started as a high-stakes “designer heist” ended in handcuffs after Paramus police intercepted a vehicle packed with nearly $17,000 in stolen luxury goods.
The “Booster Bag” Blunder
On Friday, March 13, at approximately 7:00 p.m., Paramus Police responded to a shoplifting report at the Alo Yoga store. The suspects reportedly fled the scene in a Mazda SUV, but their getaway was short-lived.
Sgt. Ryan Hayo spotted the vehicle on the mall’s ring road and conducted a stop. Upon approaching the car, officers discovered a “booster bag”—a foil-lined bag specifically designed to bypass anti-shoplifting security sensors.
A Treasure Trove of Stolen Luxury
The scale of the theft was massive. Police recovered $16,785 worth of merchandise from a variety of high-end retailers. The haul included:
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Apparel: Alo Yoga leggings and Calvin Klein men’s shirts.
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Accessories: Prada sunglasses, a Burberry clutch, and Coach handbags.
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Luxury Goods: Montblanc bags and Victoria’s Secret perfumes.
The Arrests
The suspects have been identified as Jason Joshua Molina (26) of Bayonne and Tamara Charlot (32) of Queens, NY. Both face charges of:
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Possession of stolen property.
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Possession of an anti-shoplifting device.
While Molina was released on his own recognizance, Charlot was remanded to the Bergen County Jail.
Why This Matters for Shoppers
Retail theft impacts everyone, from store inventory to increased security presence. The quick response by the Paramus Police Department highlights the high-tech surveillance and active patrolling present at one of New Jersey’s busiest shopping hubs.
Pro Tip: When shopping at major malls like Garden State Plaza, stay aware of your surroundings and report suspicious activity to mall security immediately.
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Tags: #ParamusNJ #GardenStatePlaza #RetailCrime #NewJerseyNews #DesignerHeist #ShopSafe
