Maplewood Store Won't Pursue Man Who Allegedly Took Air Freshener

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — According to the Maplewood Police Department, a drug store in the town decided not to press charges against a man whom they had reported for allegedly shoplifting air freshener on Feb. 15.

According to police, Walgreens told them around 11:28 a.m. that day that a male had allegedly shoplifted two Febreze air sprays. According to a press release, officers were able to locate the man.

However, "Walgreens employees did not press charges and all items were returned," said the release.

It's unknown whether the incident was related to a Feb. 6 incident in which Walgreens employees reported observing a man allegedly place several deodorants in his jacket and leaving without paying.

Police could not locate the man in that incident.

The police also reported these other incidents for the first half of February:

Feb. 2: At approximately 12:40 pm, an unsecured vehicle on Essex Avenue was entered and a Mac Pro tablet was removed. The suspect was last seen running towards Irvington Avenue with the tablet.

Feb. 4: Between the hours of 12 and 3 p.m., a package was stolen from a residence in the 100 block of Garfield Place.

Feb. 5: A resident on Park Avenue reported that his vehicle was entered sometime during the overnight hours. The vehicle was unsecured and no items were reported missing.

Feb. 10: A resident of Parker Avenue said his car was broken into overnight, with various items missing. There were no signs of forced entry, so the car might have been unlocked, police said.

Feb. 10: Around 7:33 p.m., officers responded to Kaspers Liquors on the report of a man allegedly shoplifting a bottle of Hennessy. Police located the man and bottle nearby. The 45-year-old Newark man was taken to the Essex County Jail on outstanding warrants.

Feb. 11: At approximately 09:44 p.m., a vehicle on Maplewood Avenue was placed on cinder blocks and all four of the rims/tires removed. Police did not have a suspect.

Feb. 13: At approximately 11:17 a.m., a package was stolen from a residence on the 100 block of Rutgers Street.