UPDATE: A Somerset County heroin addict with a history of shoplifting arrests was hit by a car yesterday while running from Ramsey police after he’d stolen purses from T.J. Maxx, authorities confirmed today.
Christopher Vetter, 39, of Bound Brook had grabbed eight purses worth nearly $1,300, then bolted through the parking lot of the Route 17 store to North Franklin Turnpike, where he was struck in front of an Asian restaurant just after 1 p.m., Police Chief Bryan Gurney said this morning.
Vetter was taken to The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood with what responders characterized as minor injuries.
Police issued him a summons to answer shoplifting charges in Municipal Court on June 9.
It was Vetter’s second shoplifting arrest in six weeks: Watchung police last month charged him with shoplifting $346.88 of items from Sears. They said they also found him carrying a hypodermic needle and spoon.
Vetter also has pending charges out of Plainfield.
Watchung police said said they also found Vetter carrying heroin works when they busted him for shoplifting $112 worth of Red Bull from a Stop and Shop.
