Release according to the Gloucester Township Police Department.
On Nov. 3, 2021, Gloucester Township Police Department Det. Joseph Eden was presented with the Retail Law Enforcement Achievement Award from New Jersey Food Council and New Jersey Retail Merchants Association during their annual conference. Eden is assigned as in Retail Theft Unit, and was recognized for building strong personal partnerships with small business owners and retail businesses in Gloucester Township, New Jersey. These community partnerships have enabled us to effectively address of shoplifting, organized retail crime groups, and employee theft.
The Gloucester Township Police Department began the Retail Theft Detective Program in 2015 as part of the Investigations Bureau. The program focuses on retail thefts, organized retail theft crime groups, and shopliftings. In January of 2021 Eden was assigned and has since investigated several Organized Retail Crimes groups, shopliftings, counterfeit money activity, credit card fraud, gift card fraud, fraudulent returns, and employee theft incidents. These investigations have led to successful arrests, prosecutions, and property return for businesses. Since January, Eden has been responsible for the prosecution and recovery of hundreds of thousands of dollars in stolen merchandise.
Eden has been able to develop a network involving other Police Officers, Business Managers, and Loss Prevention Employees. Within this network, hundreds of additional charges have been filed throughout multiple jurisdictions in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.
Chief David Harkins stated, “The establishment of the Gloucester Township Police Retail Theft Unit has been a very successful community policing initiative. Det. Eden’s dedication and bridge building skills has built trust with our business owners, and has deterred shoplifting and retail theft throughout Gloucester Township. Det. Eden represents the Gloucester Township Police Department very well, and is well deserving of this recognition.”
