Matawan Man Arrested in Middletown for Alleged Theft of $500+ of Energy Drinks

arrested a Matawan man for allegedly shoplifting more than $500 worth of energy drinks on two separate occasions from two different Middletown Rite Aids.

The man, David Darragh, 36, of Matawan, allegedly walked out of the Rite Aid at 1447 Route 35 first on April 16, with “$409.82 worth of 5-hour energy drinks and energy mix” and then on April 17, from the on Wilson Avenue, in the Port Monmouth section, with $139.29 worth of the drinks, complaint warrants and police reports from Middletown police said.

In both instances, the reports said, he allegedly concealed the drinks with Rite Aid shopping bags and tried to walk “directly out of the store” without paying for them.

Darragh was arrested by patrolmen Keith Hirschbein and Brian McGroga, of the Middletown Township Police Department’s , and charged with shoplifting and receiving stolen property, according to Middletown police records. The offenses are fourth degree and disorderly persons offenses.

He was released pending a court date slated for April 30 at 9 a.m.

Editor's note: This information was obtained directly from Middletown Township Police Department records. It does not indicate a conviction.