Stafford: On November 23, 2020, at approximately 3:30 PM, the Stafford Township Police Department executed a motor vehicle stop on a U-Haul box truck on Route 72 near Stafford Square in connection with a series of shoplifting offenses that have been occurring throughout New Jersey.

The driver of the vehicle, Santos Lugo III (26 years old of Absecon, NJ), was placed under arrest for an active warrant out of Absecon Municipal Court.

During the course of the investigation, Lugo was found to be in possession of $3,300 worth of stolen floor tiles. Further investigation revealed that the tiles were stolen from the Lowes store in Brick Township and Lugo attempted to return them in the Manahawkin Lowes for store credit.

Lugo was charged with possession of stolen property and released pending a future court appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.

Patrolmen Bryan Brown and Zachary Halliday were the arresting officers.

As a reminder, the Stafford Township Police Department does not release arrest photos of defendants, and the public and press are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.