Stafford Township, NJ – On February 19, 2026, Phaedra Lavacca, (55 years old of Lake Champlain Drive in Little Egg Harbor) was placed under arrest for stealing approximately $900.00 of merchandise from Shop Rite located at 297 Route 72 in Manahawkin stemming from multiple incidents that occurred between October 2025 and November 2025. Lavacca was charged with two (2) counts of 4th Degree Shoplifting 2C:20-11B(1) and one (1) count of disorderly persons Shoplifting 2C:20-11B(1). Lavacca was released with a criminal complaint summons to appear in Ocean County Superior Court. Detective Zac Halliday 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.