Already facing two open shoplifting cases, a Kearny man was charged with stealing more than $300 worth of alcohol from a liquor store on three separate occasions, according to a criminal complaint.
JERSEY CITY -- Citing a Kearny's man's recent criminal history, a Hudson County judge set bail at a whopping $75,000 today when he appeared on charges of shoplifting from a liquor store on three separate occasions.
Axel Rodriguez, 43, of Elm Street, made his first court appearance this afternoon in Central Judicial Procession court via video link from Hudson County jail on the new charges.
Already facing two open shoplifting cases, Rodriguez was charged with stealing more than $300 worth of alcohol from a liquor store on three separate occasions, according to a criminal complaint.
According to the complaint, on Dec. 29, Rodriguez entered a Kearny Avenue store and stole a bottle of Hennessy and a bottle of Jameson, totaling $203.28.
The next week, he returned to the same business on Jan. 4 and stole another bottle of Hennessy valued at $50, the complaint states.
Two days later Rodriguez entered the business once again and stole a third bottle of Hennessy, valued at $69.99, according to the complaint.
Rodriguez was arrested on Jan. 7 after a statement was given by an employee of the store and surveillance video captured him committing the offense, the complaint states.
During his hearing it was revealed Rodriguez already has two open theft cases, one from November and one from Dec. 21.
Because of his record, Judge Margaret Marley set bail at $75,000 with a 10 percent cash option because she believed all of the charges were a result of "chronic shoplifting gone bad."
The bail was significantly higher than the guidelines for the crime, but Marley argued it was set "too low even at that."
