Candy, Ginseng Allegedly Taken by Two with Outstanding Warrants

Two men who police charged with shoplifting candy at the Copper Kettle Food and Deli were found to have outstanding warrants from other jurisdictions, according to Green Brook police.

On Oct. 10, police charged Christopher Desa, 31, of Bound Brook, with shoplifting two bottles of ginseng, valued at $2.50, after investigating a report of shoplifting at the deli.

According to the report, police were able to identify Desa from the store's security camera, and traced him to the Ivory Tower Motor Inn. After taking Desa into custody, police discovered he was wanted on an outstanding warrant out of Edison Township, with a $20,000 bond required.

He was turned over to Edison police after the charge was filed. Edison officials did not return calls seeking details on the warrant.

On Oct. 11, police were contacted by the deli again, this time regarding the theft of two packages of Mentos mints, valued at $2.50. Store managers told police they believed the man who took the mints was staying at the Motor Inn.

Management at the inn said a man matching the description given by the deli was at the inn and provided the room number, where police found Peter Primavera, 55.

Primavera was taken into custody, and police discovered he was also wanted on warrants issued by courts in Clark, Atlantic Highlands and Newark, totaling $3,500. He was turned over to Atlantic Highland police after the shoplifting charge was filed.