Crime, Regional Interest

Prosecutor: Middletown Cop Charged with Shoplifting

A Middletown police officer has been charged with shoplifting and attempted shoplifting from multiple stores in a discount department store chain, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced on Thursday.

On Tuesday, Jan. 23, the officer, Brenden B. Santiago, 36, of Tinton Falls, was charged with one count of third-degree shoplifting and one count of fourth-degree attempted shoplifting.

An investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Professional Responsibility Unit and the Middletown Township Police Department revealed that from mid-to-late December 2023, Santiago allegedly successfully “skip-scanned” items, essentially scanning multiple less-expensive items and not scanning more-expensive items. He pretending to scan the items and leave each store without paying for them on six different occasions.

In one instance during this time, Santiago was wearing a Middletown Police Department uniform while committing the alleged theft. On Saturday Jan. 9, Santiago was observed once again allegedly “skip-scanning” items and attempting to shoplift and leave the store with unpaid items for a seventh time. This time an employee “receipt-checked” Santiago’s purchases and Santiago was caught. The total value of all stolen goods was in excess of $500.

“The criminal conduct alleged in the complaints filed against Patrolman Santiago are deeply troubling and do not reflect the values of our agency. We firmly believe that trust and integrity are the essential cornerstones of policing and we hold our employees to the highest professional and ethical standards. Santiago has been relieved of duty and suspended without pay pending the resolution of this matter.”

Middletown Police Chief Craig Weber

If anyone has any additional information about this matter, please contact Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Brian Hammarstrom at 800-533-7443.

— Edited press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office