Cop Tackles, Arrests Wayne Mall Shoplifter, Officials Say

WAYNE, NJ — A suspected shoplifter was apprehended after a police officer spotted him leaving a popular Wayne mall, police say.

On Tuesday, around 11 a.m., police were notified that someone had stolen a laptop from the Apple Store inside the Willowbrook Mall.

A Wayne police officer who was patrolling the mall spotted a man matching the description of the shoplifter in the mall’s parking lot, appearing to be hiding something in his jacket, police said.

Once the man, who was later identified as Christoph Burgos, 25, of Woodland Park, was ordered to stop, he took off running, leading the officer on a chase throughout the parking lot.

After repeated orders to stop, the officer pushed Burgos down onto the ground and attempted to handcuff him. Burgos resisted, “flailing his arms,” to avoid the cuffs.

The 25-year-old got to his feet once more, but was taken down again. The officer was able to cuff Burgos.

The officer found the laptop in Burgos’ possession and returned it to the Apple Store, police said.

Burgos was arrested and processed and is charged with theft and resisting arrest.

He was released on bail and is awaiting court proceedings.