Supermarket scam suspects charged, one still on the run

Two suspects are charged in a rash of thefts at Stop & Shop markets in Brick and Toms River, and one is still outside the law.

Maria Scheller, 32, and Ben Lugo, 29, of South Toms River, were charged with theft by deception for knocking off about $1475 worth of goods through bogus UPC codes, according to Brick Township police.

Bail for each was set at $20,000 with no option for release on payment of 10 percent. Scheller was taken into custody, and a warrant was issued for Lugo's arrest.

The fabricated scanner bars allowed the pair to scan repeatedly, taking anywhere from $50 to $200 off the price of goods they were buying, police said.

Supermarket operators took corrective action on UPC code scanning, police said.