Shoplifting & defiant trespass charges
HAMMONTON—On October 18 at 5:35 p.m. an incident of shoplifting from a retail establishment from the 100 block of 12th Street was reported, Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel said.
“One of the co-op businesses in the establishment called police because she observed a subject on video taking a bracelet that was displayed for sale on a table in her booth. The subject placed the bracelet on her wrist and walked out of the store without paying for it,” Friel said.
In reviewing the video, the responding officer, Officer Matthew Heiser, identified the accused as Rita Ramminger, 51, of Mullica Twp., Friel said.
She was charged on a summons for shoplifting which was mailed to her summoning her to an appearance at Hammonton Joint Municipal Court, Friel said.
“A subsequent encounter with Ms. Ramminger took place on October 21 at 5:33 p.m. This was in the 100 block of 12th Street at a convenience store. She was asking patrons for money. She was observed by responding Officer Travis Hoffman and placed under arrest for defiant trespassing. She was released with a court date in Hammonton Joint Municipal Court,” Friel said.
Hoffman was the arresting officer, Friel said.
In other police news, on October 20, a complainant came to police headquarters to report the theft of her purse in the 400 block of 12th Street., Friel said.
She said she went to the establishment at around 1 p.m., Friel said.
“She said she dropped her purse at the entrance,” Friel said.
An unknown male was observed on video riding by on a bicycle stopped and picked up the purse, Friel said.
“The victim stated that her purse contained approximately $200 cash, multiple credit cards and driver’s license,” Friel said.
The responding officer was Officer Travis Hoffman, Friel said.
“Upon review of the CCTV footage, the subject was identified as wearing a red hoodie and a red hat riding on the south side of the sidewalk,” Friel said.
On October 21, a local business owner returned the purse to police headquarters stating that an employee of his gave him the purse, Friel said.
Friel said the employee advised that he found the purse in front of the store in the 400 block of 12th Street.
“The accused stated that there was only 20 cents in the purse along with the identifying cards,” Friel said.
The accused Freddie Vazquez, 54, of Hammonton, was wearing the exact clothing observed in the video, Friel said.
The purse was returned to the owner and Vazquez was charged with theft on a summons complaint mailed to his address, Friel said.
Hoffman is the investigating and charging officer, Friel said.
This report is comprised of arrests and investigations made by the men and women of local enforcement. All suspects and arrested are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.