Crime & Safety
Accused Shoplifter's Daring Escape Spoiled by Ridgewood Police
Police claim an alleged liquor thief from Paterson jumped two stories from a balcony, crossed a busy road on foot before he was tackled by police Friday afternoon.
A suspected shoplifter jumped from the second story balcony of and led police on a foot chase in Ridgewood's downtown Friday afternoon, according to .
Ridgewood Police Chief John Ward said the alleged shoplifter – identified as John Johnson, 25, of Paterson – bolted from the Stop & Shop after police responded to a call of an individual grabbing liquor from the grocery store's second level at around 12:30 p.m.
After jumping from the second floor, the alleged shoplifter led police on a foot chase, crossing traffic at busy Franklin Ave., Ward said.
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Johnson only made it a few hundred feet before police closed in, tackling him to the ground and detaining him, Ward said.
The suspect complained of pain to the leg and was treated by Ridgewood EMS before being transported to Bergen Regional Medical Center in Paramus.
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Johnson has been charged with theft of movable property and resisting arrest by flight. Police are continuing to investigate.
[Editor's note: This report was last updated at 8:18 p.m. Friday to include the identity of the suspect.]
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