Stafford, NJ - May 15th, 2024 - The Stafford Township Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) was contacted by Home Depot Loss Prevention for assistance with a potential shoplifting incident involving power tools. Upon arrival at Home Depot, DEU detectives surveilled a male subject, later identified as Joseph Ortiz (29 years old, Birch Street in Bridgeton, NJ), who was observed pushing a shopping cart containing over several thousand dollars-worth of power tools out of the garden center exit. With support from Stafford Police Patrol Units, the DEU arrested Ortiz in the parking lot before he could leave with the tools.

During a search following the arrest, detectives located a quantity of suspected crack cocaine on Ortiz. He was transported to the Stafford Township Police Headquarters, where he was charged with 2C:11B(1) Shoplifting, 2C:35-10A(1) Possession of CDS, and 2C:36-2A Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Ortiz was released on a criminal complaint summons pending a future court appearance.  Detective Wiatrowski was the arresting officer.

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