Councilwoman Charged with Shoplifting Opts for Pre-Trial Intervention

In a move to make her shoplifting and resisting arrest charges disappear, Hopatcong Council member Estelle Klein will apply for admission into Morris County’s Pre-Trial Intervention program in early October, the Daily Record reported. 

The program gives nonviolent offenders one chance to endure a period of supervised probation and other requirements in exchange for dismissal of charges and a clean criminal record.

The 79-year-old Klein's charges include shoplifting, resisting arrest, eluding police officers and a number of traffic summonses issued Aug. 6. On that date, police said Klein shoplifted about $40 in items including filet mignon, guacamole and roast beef from the Netcong Shop Rite supermarket. She then allegedly led law enforcement on a low-speed car pursuit through Netcong and into Roxbury. After a three-mile chase, police were able to pull Klein over, but the councilwoman reportedly refused to comply when officers tried to arrest her.