Shoplift Ring Thwarted After 5 Try 'Hit And Run' With 94 Items At North Jersey Mall: Cops

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — The Paramus police arrested five suspects — including a man who showed up at police headquarters to inquire about another suspect — after a "hit and run" type shoplifting attempt at Nordstrom on Friday, they say.

The five were charged for their involvement with an "organized retail theft group" after they allegedly worked together to shoplift 94 items with a total retail value of $10,000, police said.

Police said that on Dec. 1, at 7:45 p.m., Nordstoms loss prevention officers flagged down police Matt Mulick and Joe Mastrofilipo to report that five suspects just committed a “hit and run" shoplifting.

After allegedly taking the items, the suspects fled into the mall parking lot, police said.

Two men and a woman got away in a silver Toyota Forerunner, police said.

Another man ran west on Route 4, and loss prevention officers chased a woman.

Mulick and Mastrofilipo caught up to and apprehended Maringi Araguache-Media, 25, of New York City, police said. The others got away.

But hours later, around 11 p.m., a man came into police headquarters to ask about Araguache-Medina.

Detective Nick Luciano recognized the man from Nordstrom's video of the suspects, police say, even though the suspect "had removed clothing to disguise his appearance."

Police arrested the man, Angel Brito-Sifontes, 29, of New York City.

Around the same time, Officer Vincent Labarbiera located the Forerunner, which was parked not far from police headquarters. The other three suspects were arrested.

The following were the charges:

• Maringi Araguache-Media, 25, Manhattan, shoplifting and possession of burglary tools.
• Angel Brito-Sifontes, 29, Manhattan, organized retail theft and possession of burglary tools.
• Richard J. Martinez, 32, Queens, possession of stolen property, possession of burglary tools, theft by unlawful taking.
• Ingrid Romero-Ordas, 38, Manhattan, for possession of stolen property and possession of burglary tools.
• Jean Gonzalez-Gonzalez, 32, of Manhattan, for possession of stolen property and possession of burglary tools.

They were all taken to the Bergen County jail, police said.