Around 2:32 PM on November 24, 2024, Officers Jared Miller and Michael Dechert with the Mount Laurel Police Department responded to the Target at 4 Centerton Road on a report of a male shoplifter who was being detained in the asset protection office. They arrived on scene and walked into the loss prevention office. Officer Miller made contact with the alleged shoplifter, who was identified as Kelsey J. Johnson. The asset protection employee told Officer Miller that Kelsey allegedly attempted to exit the store with an unpaid vacuum cleaner. The item usually retailed for $249, but that day it was on sale at $139. Officer Miller read Kelsey his Miranda rights, and he did answer some questions. Kelsey was placed in handcuffs by Officer Miller and escorted to the patrol car. A search of his persons revealed a large amount of cash on his person. Officer Miller subsequently transported Kelsey to the Mount Laurel Police Department for further processing. He was charged with shoplifting under 2C:20-11B(1) and released pending his court appearance. Court records indicate that as of March 12, 2025, Kelsey’s shoplifting charge was downgraded to Disorderly Conduct (Ordinance 109-1B). As a result of the plea agreement, Kelsey was fined a total of $233. ---------------------------------------------- Please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and consider supporting this channel (email us for more information). Our content is shared for educational and news gathering purposes. We are in compliance with YouTube's Fair Use Policy because we edit several long clips into a concise story. This is similar to other law enforcement channels on YouTube. All videos and case documents were obtained pursuant to the New Jersey Open Public Records Act, N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq. (P.L. 2024, c.16). Defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty. The New Jersey Supreme Court has previously affirmed in Salzano v. North Jersey Media Group, 993 A.2d 778 (2010) that “The fair-report privilege reflects the judgment that the need, in a self-governing society, for free-flowing information about matters of public interest outweighs concerns over the uncompensated injury to a person's reputation.” This video advances a compelling public interest. The summary of events was based on records that are “open to public view through open access to public records” as defined in the Salzano case. In Ramos v. Flowers, 429 N.J. Super. 13, the Appellate Division of the Superior Court has also affirmed the right to film law enforcement interactions.

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