Man charged in theft of goods worth $3G at Roxbury Walmart

ROXBURY – A 29-year-old Ledgewood man was charged with stealing more than $3,000 worth of electronics from the Walmart in the township Monday, Roxbury police said.

After receiving several prior complaints of shoplifting at the Walmart on Route 10 in Ledgewood, police took a description of the suspect and his vehicle and waited Monday near the store in anticipation that he might return, police said.

An investigation revealed a male, in his late twenties or early thirties, was observed walking into Walmart and walking out with several hundred dollars worth of electronic equipment, police said.

A vehicle, matching the description from the initial report, was seen parked and the suspect was seen entering the store, police said.

Police then saw the suspect exit the store. Officers approached the man, who was later identified as Jason Riker, 29, of Ledgewood, police said.

Police spokesperson Jennifer Dillard said Riker walked out of the store with the items in plain view — not trying to conceal them — as if he had paid for them.

Riker could not produce receipts for the items in his possession and was arrested for four counts of shoplifting, possession of heroin, receiving stolen property, possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle and driving while suspended.

Dillard said four thefts were reported between Dec. 14 and Monday, and Riker allegedly stole flat screen televisions, PlayStations and video games, totaling $3,473 during those incidents.

Dillard said police recovered items Monday during the arrest, but items from the previous three thefts were believed to have been sold to pawn shops.

Riker was previously arrested for burglary of a residence on Wills Road in Landing in June. He was taken to the Morris County Jail in default of $50,000 bail with no 10 percent. Riker's roommate, Jennifer Ward, 33, of Hopatcong, was also arrested for possession of heroin and released. Riker was living in a Roxbury motel at the time of his arrest, Dillard said.