HANOVER — Hanover Township Police Officer Matt Gallagher was called to the Wegmans in town for a shoplifting in progress. Prior to Officer Gallagher’s arrival, the shoplifters had fled the scene in a blue Volkswagen with PA plates, on February 18.
The vehicle was stopped on 202 in Morris Plains by Hanover, Morris Plains and Parsippany Police Officers and proceeds from Wegmans as well as other grocery stores were observed in plain sight inside the vehicle.
After a brief investigation, the two occupants, Mr. Yusef Dunbar, 47, East Orange and Ms. Filoreta Bruncaj, 40, West Caldwell, were arrested and charged with multiple offenses.
Items totaling $319.66 was located in the vehicle believed to be stolen from Wegmans. Several items from the Stop and Shop in Morris Plains were also located in the vehicle but the value of those stolen goods were not known at the time of this report.
Mr. Dunbar was charged with hindering and conspiracy. He was also issued motor vehicle summonses for unlicensed vehicle, failure to exhibit his license, registration and insurance, driving while suspended and unlicensed driver. He also had several warrants totaling $5500.00 and two wanted persons warrants as well from Union and Essex County Sheriffs.
Ms. Bruncaj was charged with shoplifting, conspiracy, possession of hypodermic needles and drug paraphernalia. She too had multiple warrants totaling $1600.00 she also had several wanted person warrants.
Both parties were transported to the Morris County Jail pending their court dates.
Editor’s Note: An arrest or the signing of a criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until he or she has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
