NJ man arrested twice for shoplifting in the same day

A New Jersey man faces charges of shoplifting and public intoxication stemming from two similar arrests within the same day.

Authorities arrested Kevin Heater, 29, of Branchville Boro, twice on Tuesday, April 19, for allegedly shoplifting liquor and, later, seven bottles of mouthwash, New Jersey State Police reported. He was also charged with public intoxication.

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Heater’s first arrest came just before 12:30 p.m. when a liquor store employee saw him allegedly exit the store with a bottle of liquor in his sweatshirt, police stated. Troopers responded quickly and arrested Heater for shoplifting and public intoxication.

After being released from Sussex Station, Heater was arrested again shortly after 5:15 p.m. at a drug store when an employee claimed that he left with seven bottles of mouthwash without paying, according to police.

Authorities again arrested Heater, and he was taken to Sussex Station for the second time and charged with shoplifting and disorderly conduct, police added.

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“So, the moral of this story is if at first you don’t succeed while committing a crime, quit while you’re ahead,” New Jersey State Police wrote on Facebook.

There was not yet word on Wednesday regarding when Heater will be due in court, NBC10 reported.