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Officer David Vega stopped their vehicle for a traffic violation around 11 p.m. and arrested both women — identified as Jennifer DeJesus, 37 (above, right), and 34-year-old Alanna M. Prior (left), both of West Haven — after finding hypodermic needles and other drug paraphernalia in the car, Mahwah Police Chief James Batelli said.
Police also found 11 large garbage bags filled with more than $10,000 worth of pet supplies and other store products in the 2002 Honda Accord, the chief said.
These included aquarium pumps, remote doggie trainers, mercury vapor lamps, submersible pumps, power centers, pet medication, cake decorating sets and fabric-cutting dies “that [the women] admitted were stolen,” he said.
Also found were ledger books with addresses of various Petsmart, Petco, AC Moore, Michaels Arts & Crafts, JoAnn Fabrics, Walgreens and stores in Westchester, New York, Ohio, Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Jersey, Batelli said.
Police in Bucks County, Pa., already were searching for both women in connection with an attempted theft of more than $5,000 worth of items from a Petco there, Batelli said.
DeJesus was charged with:
• Receiving stolen property;
• Trafficking in stolen property;
• Conspiring to traffic stolen property;
• Speeding
Prior was charged with
• Possession of hypodermic needles;
• Possession of drug paraphernalia;
• Receiving stolen property;
• Trafficking in stolen property;
• Conspiring to traffic in stolen property
DeJesus and Prior were being held without bail in the Bergen County Jail pending extradition to Berks County, Pa.
MUGSHOTS: Courtesy MAHWAH PD
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