Major Identity Theft Bust at Garden State Plaza: Two Arrested in Multi-State Retail Fraud Scheme

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Paramus NJ, A routine merchandise return at Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus, New Jersey, led to the dismantling of a multi-state retail fraud operation. Two men from the Bronx face multiple charges after Paramus police uncovered an identity theft scheme targeting Nordstrom locations across the East Coast.

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Suspicious Return at Paramus Nordstrom Triggers Investigation

On Wednesday, August 5, at approximately 1:00 PM, Officer Vincent LaBarberia of the Paramus Police Department’s Crime Suppression Unit was alerted by a Nordstrom loss prevention officer regarding a suspicious merchandise exchange underway inside the store.

According to Paramus Police Chief Robert Guidetti, detectives determined that the items being returned had been fraudulently purchased from a Nordstrom store located at Tysons Corner Center in McLean, Virginia.

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Stolen Identities Used Across Four States

A broader investigation revealed that the suspects allegedly used stolen personal information—including names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and Social Security numbers—to open fake Nordstrom credit accounts.

Police say the pair utilized these fraudulent accounts to purchase luxury goods and process fraudulent returns across Nordstrom locations in four states:

• New Jersey

• New York

• Pennsylvania

• Virginia

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Vehicle Intercepted with $5,000+ in Luxury Goods

Following the attempted return, the suspects exited Westfield Garden State Plaza and entered a black BMW X2 bearing Virginia license plates. Sgt. Keith Bland and Officer Joe Mastrofilipo intercepted the vehicle and detained both individuals.

During the arrest:

• David M. Suliz, 29, was found in possession of multiple fraudulent credit cards.

• Erik A. Lake, 30, was found carrying a Nordstrom gift card.

A search of the vehicle yielded more than $5,000 in high-end merchandise, including:

• Chanel sunglasses (2 pairs)

• A Coach purse

• Vera Bradley handbags and backpacks

• Purple Brand shorts

• Rag & Bone jeans

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Criminal Charges and Custody

Both Lake and Suliz were processed at Paramus Police Headquarters and charged with:

• Identity Theft

• Credit Card Fraud

• False Statements on Credit Card Applications

• Theft by Deception

• Receiving Stolen Property

The two suspects were remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending their initial court appearance in Central Judicial Processing.

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• Tags: Paramus NJ, Garden State Plaza, Retail Theft, Identity Theft, Bergen County Crime, Westfield Garden State Plaza, Nordstrom Fraud