Burglary, Shoplifting Reported at Ridge Fine Wines

Township police reported a burglary and an alleged shoplifting incident that occurred in a span of a few days earlier this month at Ridge Fine Wines in the Dewey Meadow Village. Police said the Jersey City man accused of shoplifting is not considered a suspect in the earlier burglary.

Lt. Ted Reese said officers responded to a burglar alarm at Ridge Fine Wines off King George Road on Sept. 8 at about 2:10 a.m. Police said officers arrived to find damage to a dead-bolt lock and pry marks on the front door.

Police said the owner of the store reported that $800 was missing from cabinets in the store, but no merchandise appeared to have been taken.

Four days later, police said Patrol Officer Chris Baxter responded to a report of a suspected shoplifting at Ridge Fine Wines on Sunday, Sept. 12 at about 12:10 p.m. A store employee provided police with a description of the man he believed had shoplifted, police said.

Baxter stopped David Jackson, 45, of Jersey City, as he was exiting the liquor store and allegedly observed items bulging from under his clothing.

According to police, the items found were two bottles of Cognac. Police said Jackson allegedly admitted that he did not pay for the Cognac and also said he had allegedly taken two bottles of champagne from the store on Sept. 8. Police said Jackson was arrested and charged with two counts of shoplifting. He was later released on his own recognizance, police said.

Police said Jackson currently is not considered a suspect in the burglary reported on Sept. 8.

Police also reported the Sept. 9 arrest of township resident Brian Mazzucco, 23. Mazzucco was charged with driving while intoxicated, possession of under 50 grams of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle and failure to keep right.

At about 1:40 a.m., Patrol Officer Margaret Corsentino reportedly observed a 2004 Dodge Stratus drive over the double-yellow line on Mount Airy Road.

Police said Corsentino stopped the vehicle on Martinsville Road near Allen Road and allegedly detected alcohol on the driver's breath. According to police, the driver, Mazzucco, was asked to perform a field sobriety test and was placed under arrest for suspicion of driving while intoxicated.

Police also allegedly found a small bag containing marijuana  in Mazzucco's front pants pocket following his arrest, and a marijuana pipe in the center console of his vehicle. Mazzucco was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and released on his own recognizance, police said.