Stafford Township, NJ – June 1, 2024 - At approximately 6:00 P.M., Stafford Police Dispatch was advised of a shoplifting suspect who had just left Shoprite located at 297 Route 72 West.  Patrol officers responded to the area in search of the suspect.  They encountered a male subject in the area, later identified as 23-year-old Matthew Keithley of Mays Landing, New Jersey, who was carrying a reusable shopping bag.  While speaking with Keithley, officers witnessed a fawn poke its head out of the top of the shopping bag.  Officers advised Keithley that he was being detained for the illegal possession of a deer.   Keithley provided false information regarding his identity and when he was advised that he was under arrest, Keithley attempted to flee from officers on foot but was quickly taken into custody.   Keithley was found to be in possession of suspected crack cocaine and drug paraphernalia.  Once he was properly identified, two warrants for his arrest were located out of Atlantic County, NJ.  Keithley was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and charged with 24:4-47 Illegal Possession of a Deer, 2C:35-10A(1) Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, 2C:36-2 Possession Drug Paraphernalia, 2C:29-2A(2) Resisting Arrest by Flight, and 2C:29-3B(4) Providing False Information to a Law Enforcement Officer.  Keithley was lodged in the Ocean County Jail and the fawn was returned to where it was found in the wild.  Ptl. Moslowitz 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.