Franklin woman faces theft, drug charges

FRANKLIN — A borough woman faces theft, drug and weapons charges after Franklin police have investigated fraudulent transactions at the Franklin Wal-Mart.

Jacqueline A. Thompson, 24, of Franklin was charged with theft by deception, narcotic offenses, and weapons offenses. She was charged in Newton on Tuesday, Aug. 4.

Detectives said they found that during July, several individuals have been taking several hundred dollars’ worth of merchandise from the store without first purchasing them, then returning the stolen items to the store, in order to receive store credit and or a gift card for the items. The individuals have been selling the gift cards / store credit to local pawn shops, police said.

Police said she also was found to be in possession of a benzodiazepine narcotic, marijuana, heroin, drug paraphernalia, and hypodermic needles in her residence, in Franklin. Police said she was also found to be in possession of an air soft firearm, which is considered a prohibited weapon in New Jersey without a valid firearm permit or firearms identification card.

Police allege Thompson also was found to have Superior Court warrant from Sussex County.

She was sent to the Sussex County Jail pending the resolution of the warrant and charges.