​Police Make a Separate Arrest for Shoplifting at Target on the Same Day

Fairfield (NJ): The Fairfield Police Department announces the arrests of Tala Alwan (18), of Wayne, NJ and a juvenile for shoplifting on July 3, 2023.  The juvenile’s information is being withheld due to their age.  On that date at approximately 8:55 pm, Fairfield officers were dispatched to the store on a report of shoplifters detained by security.  This incident occurred only three hours after a shoplifting which was reported in an earlier press release.

Officers Katrina Guevara, Ryan Cleary and Jesse Schnackenberg all responded to the store.  On scene, they located Alwan and the juvenile detained in the security office.  Security advised that they allegedly observed both suspects fill a shopping cart with various merchandise, walk passed all points of sale, and try to leave the store.  They were stopped and detained at this time.  The total value shoplifted was $590.36.

Officer Guevara placed Alwan under arrest for shoplifting.  The juvenile was turned over to a parent who arrived on scene.  Alwan was transported to headquarters for processing and charged with shoplifting, conspiracy, and possession of a false government ID.  Alwan was later released pending an initial appearance at the Essex County Courthouse in Newark, NJ on September 14, 2023.  Charges are pending on the juvenile.

(Charges are merely allegations until the defendants are proven guilty or plead guilty in a court of law).

Issued by: Officer Stacy Chiarolanza (PIO)