A suspended Monmouth County Corrections officer faces criminal charges after shoplifting in West Long Branch, authorities said.

Suzanne Simone, 53, of Ocean Township, a 22-year-veteran of the Monmouth County Correctional Institution in Freehold, has been charged with shoplifting, according to Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni. 

Simone is accused of skipping scanner  payments at a local home improvement store, Gramiccioni said. 

In one instance, Simone was wearing her jail uniform while committing the theft, the prosecutor said.

She scanned multiple smaller items, but skipped scanning larger items, or pretended to scan them before leaving the store without paying for them, Gramiccioni said.

Of the stolen goods, the estimated value is $661, he said.

Some of the stolen items were later recovered from her residence.

Simone has been suspended from her job at the Monmouth County Jail.

“No one is above the law,” Gramiccioni said.  “It is essential to our criminal justice system that officers maintain the public’s trust. This officer broke the law that she was sworn to uphold, all over a measly $600,”

Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden said, “Any member of law enforcement who violates their oath does a disservice to the public and their fellow officers, and will be held fully accountable.”

If anyone has any additional information, call Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Greg Hilton at 1-800-533-7443.

Anyone who feels the need to remain anonymous, but has information about a crime can submit a tip to Monmouth County Crime Stoppers by calling their confidential telephone tip-line at 1-800-671-4400;  or by going to the website at www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com

Assistant Prosecutor Melanie Falco is handling the case.

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