Police make arrest in Shop Rite shoplifting case

NORTH GREENBUSH, N.Y. » An Albany man was recently arrested after into a shoplifting at Shop Rite on Dec. 29, 2021.

On Wednesday, Feb. 15 the North Greenbush Police Department arrested Johanne Rosario, 42, of Albany, after a lengthy investigation into a shoplifting at Shop Rite on Dec. 29, 2021.

On that day, staff reported that a man, now known to be Rosario, had stolen $380.07 in steaks and seafood. They were able to intercept the male and recover the property but he got into a vehicle and fled the area. An officer observed the vehicle at the intersection of State Route 43 and North Greenbush Rd. and attempted to stop it. The driver refused to stop and began driving erratically to get away. The driver was driving at a very high rate of speed, passing vehicles on the shoulder and running others off the roadway. The officer determined it was too dangerous to continue the pursuit and terminated.

Rosario was developed as a suspect and was brought in for questioning, where he confessed and was allowed to leave to be arrested a few days later. For the following year, officers attempted to locate him to arrest him on these charges. In early Feb. 2023, he had been arrested in a separate incident and lodged in Albany County Jail where officers took him into custody upon his release. He was charged with petit larceny and reckless driving, both misdemeanors, as well as numerous traffic infractions. He was arraigned at North Greenbush Town Court and released to return at a later date.

“The risk to life and safety displayed in this case is astounding considering the original offense,” Chief David M. Keevern said in a recent news release from the department. “The officers did a great job investigating and identifying him quickly. The delay came from his unwillingness to face the charges which was inevitable.”