Three arrested following shoplifting investigation at Morris County shopping center, police say

DENVILLE TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Morris County) — Three people were arrested following a shoplifting investigation Sunday afternoon at a shopping center in Denville Township, according to police.

Police said officers responded at approximately 3:44 p.m. Nov. 8 to a 911 call reporting a shoplifting in progress at the Lululemon clothing store at the Shoppes at Union Hill, 3056 Route 10 West.

During the investigation, officers located three individuals attempting to leave the parking lot. They were identified as Shanda Billups, 48, of Newark; Benjamin Jean-Louis, 40, of Newark; and Lawrence Perkins, 65, of East Orange.

Further investigation revealed that the individuals were allegedly in possession of stolen merchandise from Lululemon and Gap clothing stores, along with drug paraphernalia, police said.

All three were arrested and transported to Denville Police Headquarters for processing.

Billups was charged with third- and fourth-degree shoplifting, third-degree conspiracy, fourth-degree resisting arrest and possession of drug paraphernalia, a disorderly persons offense.

Jean-Louis was charged with third-degree shoplifting, third-degree conspiracy and receiving stolen property, a disorderly persons offense.

Perkins was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, a disorderly persons offense.

Following processing, Perkins was released pending a future court appearance in Denville Municipal Court.

Billups and Jean-Louis were lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility pending future court appearances in Morris County Superior Court, police said.