Heroin Found in Car of Alleged Route 23 Shoplifters

stopped two men Friday afternoon who were allegedly attempting to shoplift from several Route 23 businesses by taking items found on discarded receipts and attempting to return them to stores. Police said both men were also allegedly found to be under the influence of heroin.

German M. Florez, 39, of Port Jervis, and William G. Totten III, 22, of Dingman’s Ferry, Pa., were both charged with shoplifting, being under the influence of heroin and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Ptl. Nicholas Cifelli was on patrol in the Meadtown Shopping Center parking lot Friday at about 3:50 p.m., when police said he noticed a 2006 Subaru with Pennsylvania registration parked in front of Rite Aid in the fire zone. Cifelli also allegedly noticed two men going through trash cans in front of the store.

Police said when one of the men returned to the vehicle, police approached the car and he allegedly attempted to drive away, but Cifelli was able to stop the car and speak to the driver, Totten.

Totten allegedly told police that he thought he threw out his debit card and that Florez, who had gone into Rite Aid, was going inside to see if the card was left in the store. Florez then allegedly exited the store and told police that he had entered the store to buy a soda but forgot money.

An investigation of the incident revealed that the men were looking through trash cans for store receipts, police said. In the vehicle, police said they found receipts from several Route 23 businesses and a spoon allegedly used to cook heroin. Police also said they found razors in Florez’ pocket that he had allegedly just taken from Rite Aid.

The men were transported to the Kinnelon police station and later released with a ticket to appear in court.