STAFFORD – A local man has admitted to a series of shoplifting crimes in the area from earlier last year, officials said.
Nicholas Santiago, 39, of Barnegat, pled guilty to Robbery and Shoplifting in connection with an incident that occurred in Stafford Township on May 27, 2024, along with multiple shoplifting incidents that likewise occurred in Stafford Township during May and June 2024.
At the time of his sentencing on March 28, 2025, the State will be seeking a term of five years New Jersey State Prison (NJSP), subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act as to the Robbery charge, and four years NJSP as to the Shoplifting charge. The sentences are to run concurrently.
Around 12 a.m. on May 27, 2024, a man entered a convenience store on Route 72 and brandished a small knife at an employee, demanding money, cigarettes and other items. The staff member turned over the items and the suspect fled the scene.
Authorities later identified the man as Santiago and also discovered that he was responsible for other shoplifting incidents that occurred at the Shoprite in Stafford throughout May and June 2024.
In addition, Santiago was further identified as a suspect in a robbery that occurred at another convenience store located in New Gretna, Burlington County, on May 31, 2024.
On June 18, 2024, Santiago was taken into custody without incident at his home in Barnegat. On that date, he was charged with the robbery that occurred in New Gretna and brought to the Burlington County Jail; that charge remains pending in Burlington County Superior Court.
On June 19, 2024, Santiago was charged with the robbery that occurred in Stafford Township on May 27, 2024, as well as the shoplifting offenses which occurred in Stafford during May and June 2024. On June 22, 2024, he was brought to the Ocean County Jail where he has been detained since that date.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Assistant Prosecutor Lynn Juan who is handling the case on behalf of the State, as well as the Stafford Township Police Department and New Jersey State Police for their combined and cooperative assistance in connection with this investigation, leading to Santiago’s apprehension, guilty plea, and soon his state prison sentence.
