Wine thief is wanted in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Rhode Island.
A surveillance photo released by the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office of Scott DeLuca, who authorities say shoplifts high-end wine. BERNARDSVILLE -- Authorities in the northeast are searching for an alleged bandit of rare wines who is accused of targeting businesses that sell expensive wine, including a Bernardsville liquor store from which he allegedly stole two bottles of high-end wine.
Scott M. Deluca, 25, of Wynantskill, N.Y., has been charged with third-degree shoplifting in Bernardsville, the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office and Bernardsville police Chief Kevin Valentine said Monday in a joint release.
On Sept. 9, Deluca allegedly entered a Bernardsville liquor store and shoplifted two bottles of wine valued at $1,858.00, authorities said. After exiting the store, he left the area in a dark colored 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee, authorities said.
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The vehicle has a spare tire (black rim) on the front passenger side of the vehicle and New York "Adirondack" personalized vanity license plates bearing the letters "SPA ND," authorities said.
Deluca is wanted in a string of pricey wine thefts throughout New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Rhode Island and law enforcement officials are seeking the public's help in locating him, authorities said.
Through surveillance footage from the Bernardsville store and with the help of detectives assigned to the New Paltz Police Department in New York, Bernardsville detectives were able to identify Deluca.
According to NBC Connecticut, investigators believe Deluca stole a $4,800 bottle of 1990 Chateau Petrus from the Mystic Marriott's Octagon Restaurant last week.
Authorities are asking anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Deluca to contact the Bernardsville Police Department's Detective Bureau at 908-766-0037 Ext. 139.
Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@njadvancemedia.com.Follow him on Twitter @DHutch_SL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
