Pair nabbed in $20,000 mall purse thefts

An accused thief and getaway driver who swiped nearly $20,000 worth of Gucci and Prada purses from the Garden State Plaza were caught in the act at the Short Hills Mall and arrested, Paramus police said today.

Jerry DeMarco

02/17/2012 12:50 a.m.

Christopher Apolito, Johnathan Monet (MUGSHOTS: Paramus PD)

The crime spree began on Jan. 6, when 34-year-old Christopher Apolito of West Paterson snatched five purses worth more than $18,000, ran from the Gucci store at the Paramus mall and hopped into a waiting car driven by Johnathan Monet, 24, of Paterson, Police Capt. Kenneth R. Ehrenberg said.

Alert store employees gave police descriptions of Apolito and the vehicle, Ehrenberg said.

The pair return to the mall on Jan. 25, this time with Apolito going into Neiman Marcus, snatching a $1,600 Prada handbag and again fleeing in the waiting car.

Paramus Detective Sgt. Robert Olive and Detective Joseph McNair identified the pair and issued a statewide alert.

Last Thursday, Millburn police arrested both men committing what they said was a similar theft.

Both are being held in the Essex County Jail, Apolito on $20,000 bail and Monet on $5,000, pending resolution of the charges there. They will then be turned over to authorities from Paramus.

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