Brigantine Wawa Investigation Leads to Identity, Shoplifting Charges

• Brigantine Police say a Wawa shoplifting report led to an identity investigation
• Officers say the suspect continued using another name during processing
• The investigation uncovered a 2022 outstanding warrant

Brigantine, N.J. — A Philadelphia man faces shoplifting and identity-related charges after Brigantine police say he provided a name that did not match his identity and continued using that name during arrest processing.

Police Investigate Reported Wawa Shoplifting

Brigantine police say they responded to the Wawa on Brigantine Boulevard on September 15th after staff reported a shoplifting.

Using the description provided by Wawa employees, officers found 35-year-old Rodney J. Davis of Philadelphia at a nearby bus stop, with Wawa merchandise visible in his hands.

When asked what happened, Davis told officers he may have forgotten to ring up his items.

Police Say Man Used Another Identity

When officers asked for identification, Davis provided a name and date of birth. Police say the photograph associated with that identity did not match the man they were speaking with.

An officer later confirmed through Wawa's surveillance footage that Davis had not paid for the merchandise he was carrying from the store, according to police.

Davis was arrested. During the investigation, officers identified him as Rodney J. Davis and discovered he had been wanted since 2022 on a warrant for failing to appear on shoplifting charges in Salem County.

Police say Davis continued using the name he initially provided during arrest processing and signed that name on paperwork.

Davis was charged with two counts of identity theft, forgery, uttering a forged document, hindering apprehension, and shoplifting. He was remanded to the Atlantic County Justice Facility on his outstanding warrant.

The public is reminded that charges are accusations and all persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Chris Coleman is a South Jersey native and has been a cornerstone of the Atlantic City radio market since 1998. He serves as Brand Manager for WPG Talk Radio 95.5 and afternoon on-air personality for WPUR Cat Country 107.3. A five-time President's Circle award winner and Townsquare Media's 2024 Content Creator of the Year, Chris covers news, events, and stories of interest across Southern New Jersey. Story tips: chris.coleman@townsquaremedia.com.