2 men face shoplifting, eluding charges

Two Bronx men face fourth-degree charges of shoplifting and eluding after employees of the ShopRite in Sparta reported the theft of a large amount of personal hygiene products about 4:15 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24.

The ShopRite employees said two men fled on foot across the parking lot with the items, and they provided a photo and description of both men, police said.

While searching for the suspects, Patrolman Thomas Herd found Bienvenido Polanco, 26, by the residential area on North Village Boulevard and ordered him to stop. Bienvenido ran toward the back of Sparta Drive-Up Storage on White Lake Road before Herd caught and arrested him.

Officers continued to search for the second suspect while Detective Sgt. Brian Hassloch stayed with their vehicle. Eventually, he saw a female approach the vehicle and she told him that Richard Sepulveda, 31, had asked her to pick it up.

Hassloch learned that Sepulveda was hiding by Yetter’s Diner in Frankford. The Sparta Detective Bureau contacted the New Jersey State Police and asked for assistance in locating him.

A short time later, troopers found and arrested Sepulveda.

At police headquarters, Polanco and Sepulveda were charged, then released pending an appearance in state Superior Court in Newton.

The Andover and Ogdensburg police departments and Sussex County Sheriff’s Office Canine Division also assisted with the case.