The man allegedly repeatedly stole a bulk amount of eye drops
Police have apprehended an alleged serial shoplifter from Union City.
George Xenakis, a 33-year-old from Union City, was arrested by Bayonne police on September 13, according to Captain Eric Amato. He was charged with two counts of shoplifting, robbery, a resisting arrest.
Xenakis was taken into custody at 1:31 p.m. from the area of MLK Drive and Orient Avenue in Jersey City. On this date at 10:52 a.m., officers responded to the CVS located at 560 Avenue C in Bayonne on a report of a shoplifting.
During the investigation, it was learned that a male allegedly entered the store and shoplifted 15 to 20 bottles of eye drops totaling $200. He then fled on a blue-colored Citibike, police said.
Shortly after, at 11:05 a.m., officers responded to Walgreens located at 12 North Street in Bayonne on a report of a robbery. During the investigation, it was learned that a male entered the store and allegedly shoplifted approximately $1,220 worth of eye drops and eye care products. During the shoplifting, he allegedly threatened to stab an employee with a syringe if the employee attempted to stop him. According to authorities, he then fled on a blue-colored Citibike.
Bayonne Police Detectives responded and immediately began an investigation. During the investigation, the detectives contacted Jersey City Police and provided a description and photo of the man from video surveillance and requested that they contact them should they observe the man.
The detectives were contacted shortly after by a member of the Jersey City Police Department who immediately recognized the man as Xenakis from numerous past incidents of shoplifting in Jersey City. The officer also advised the Bayonne detectives that he had just observed Xenakis operating a Citibike in the area of MLK Drive and Stegman Street.
The Bayonne detectives immediately responded to the area and located Xenakis, who matched the male observed in the surveillance videos at the stores, in the area of MLK Drive and Orient Avenue. As the detectives approached Xenakis, he allegedly refused to comply with their commands to stop, police said. The detectives were ultimately able to stop him, conduct their investigation, and place him under arrest.
During the arrest process, Xenakis resisted by allegedly becoming combative and attempted to flee them, according to authorities. He was ultimately subdued and taken into custody. A search incident to his arrest led to the recovery of numerous syringes and other items of evidence in his possession.
As the detectives were processing him, he was positively identified as the suspect of another shoplifting from Rite-Aid at 1097 Broadway in Bayonne reported on July 17 which was under investigation. This incident involved Xenakis allegedly shoplifting $434 worth of Haagan Dazs ice cream. He was additionally charged, police said.
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