ShopRite Theft Leads to Bigger Trouble for Manahawkin Man

A Manahawkin man who was observed shoplifting at the local ShopRite soon faced trouble for drug possession and several prior shoplifting incidents.

Manahawkin Man Arrested for String of Shoplifting & Drug Charges

According to Stafford Township Police, Michael Thiel Jr., 50, was arrested on Saturday evening, Sept. 26, outside the ShopRite on Route 72 West.

The drug enforcement unit of the Stafford Township Police was conducting an operation at the ShopRite when officers noticed a man pushing a cartload of merchandise out of the store without paying.

After watching the man load the stolen groceries into his vehicle, police moved in and arrested him for shoplifting.

A search of his car then uncovered several wax paper folds containing suspected heroin, fentanyl, or a combination of both, along with drug paraphernalia.

Further investigation found that Thiel was a suspect in seven other alleged shoplifting incidents at the same ShopRite location. In total, the eight incidents involved stolen merchandise valued at over $1,000.

Thiel was taken to the Ocean County Jail, where he is being held pending a detention hearing in Ocean County Superior Court.

Suspect Was Arrested on Drug Crimes in 2025

Michael Thiel Jr. and Stephen H. Thiel of Maple Shade were arrested in May 2025 by the Stafford Township Police Drug Enforcement Unit during a vehicle stop.

The two men were charged with various drug charges, including possession of heroin, crack cocaine, and urine to be used to defraud a drug test.

During the investigation, it was learned that Stephen H. Thiel had an active outstanding warrant out of the Delran Municipal Court for $2,500.