Hackensack Police Find Cash Register in Backyard, Arrest Bodega Burglars

By Travis Tormey posted in Theft Offenses on Sunday, May 26, 2013

Hackensack NJ Burglary AttorneysOn Tuesday morning, the owner of Nataly’s Kitchen, a popular bodega in Hackensack, came to work and found the front window smashed in and the register missing. He reported it to Hackensack police, who searched the area and eventually spotted the cash register in a nearby backyard.

Because the cash register remained intact and unopened, officers surmised that the thieves had temporarily left it behind. Detectives set up surveillance and waited for the culprits to return for the cash register.

After several hours, Shajee Jackson and George Wright entered the yard and carried the cash register to their apartment, which was close to the bodega. The officers followed Mr. Jackson and Mr. Wright to the apartment and knocked on the door, prompting the two men to quickly throw the register from a third-floor window into a courtyard below.

When Mr. Jackson and Mr. Wright opened the door, officers arrested them. Mr. Jackson was charged with burglary, criminal mischief, and possession of marijuana, among other charges. Mr. Wright was charged with receipt of stolen property.

The penalties for burglary in New Jersey are set forth in N.J.S.A. 2C:18-2. Burglary is typically charged as a third degree felony. Given the circumstances of the case, Mr. Jackson could be charged with third degree burglary, with the very real possibility that he could be sentenced to between three (3) and five (5) years in state prison.

Because of the severity of the charges, Mr. Jackson was being held at the Bergen County Jail in lieu of $15,000.00 bail. Mr. Wright, on the other hand, was released on a summons.

For more information, see the NJ.com article entitled “Cash Register Found in Backyard Leads Hackensack Police to Bodega Burglars.”


NJ CRIMINAL LAW VIDEO LIBRARY

If you’ve been charged with a criminal offense, disorderly persons offense, or traffic / DWI violation, you have the right to an attorney who will defend you against your charges and fight for your best interests. To learn more about how your attorney can fight to have your charges dismissed or reduced, click a link below to see our video library of legal defenses and strategies.