Four charged in Verizon store theft
FRANKLIN — Four people face charges after Franklin police responded to a reported theft at the Verizon Store in Franklin. on Thursday, March 7.
Joseph Owens, 34, Ryan Slavico, 21, and Dominique Carney, 22, all of the Bronx, and Randolph Millington, 33, of Brooklyn, were charged with multiple narcotic offenses, theft, possession of stolen property, several fraudulent credit card offenses, and false government documents or identification. Owens was also found to have a Superior Court Warrant from Atlantic County. Carney was found to be hiding additional heroin in a body cavity later during the investigation. Carney was found to be wanted in Vineland, and Seabrook, with several warrants. Millington was also issued a motor vehicle summons for possession of narcotics in a motor vehicle.
Police said the theft was reported at about 5 p.m. Verizon store employees reported that the suspect left in a white vehicle/van. Verizon employees further explained that two males had attempted to open a fraudulent Verizon accounts. The employee explained that when he looked away the suspects fled the store with a cell phone and other merchandise. police observed the suspect’s vehicle on Franklin Avenue traveling toward State Highway Route 23. Franklin patrols responded to Route 23 North at the Hardyston School and made contact with the vehicle. Upon Franklin Police/Detectives arrival, passengers were observed with narcotics visible on their faces, pants, and shirts as well as a hypodermic needle exposed in the vehicle.
Located within the vehicle were heroin, needles, and assorted drug paraphernalia. Also located were the iPhone, earbuds, and a Mophe charging case stolen from the Verizon store in Franklin NJ. Also located within the vehicle were items found to be purchased fraudulently: 2 iPhones and an iPad from Washington, NJ, an Apple iWatch from PA, an Apple iWatch from Fort Lee. Also recovered stolen were an Audiomod case, a Motorola commercial QR scanner, Yeezy Sneakers, Gucci Shirt, Versace sneakers, Ultimate speakers, and an American Express gift card, all from unknown retailers and locations. Also located were 9 fraudulent credit cards with different names and aliases as well as two Texas Drivers Licenses bearing Joesph Owens’ and Ryan Slavico’s faces with different names. The recovered stolen merchandise was valued at over $7,000.
The investigation is ongoing.
They were all sent to the Sussex County Jail pending court appearances