The Queen’s District prosecutors announced on Tuesday (August 18) that a habitual thief, 40-year-old Shaquan Seth, who had been arrested nearly 150 times, was once again apprehended by the police for theft just 10 days after being released.
This habitual thief had an unusual obsession with stealing scented candles of a specific brand. He was caught on Monday attempting to steal $800 worth of Threshold brand candles from a Target department store on Jackson Avenue in the Queen’s District, which happened to be his favorite crime spot.
The New York Post recounted Seth’s bizarre criminal history since 2009 last week. He had repeatedly stolen from the same Target store, with a recent incident in June where he stole $600 worth of candles in one go.
Despite his alarming criminal record, Seth was released on his own recognizance by a judge on August 7. This was due to New York State’s bail reform law, which prohibits judges from setting bail for non-violent crimes such as petty larceny and burglary.
However, it seems that Seth had not turned over a new leaf after his release. Court records show that despite being banned from the store, he entered it again on Monday, stuffed 40 jars of scented candles into a cart, and attempted to walk out without paying. He was apprehended on the spot by store security and later arrested by the police.
Facing this vicious cycle of “caught and released, released and stole again,” the Queen’s District Attorney’s Office invoked a special supplemental provision in New York’s bail law during the court hearing, commonly known as the “stacking” provision. This provision stipulates that if a defendant continues to commit multiple non-violent crimes and causes substantial harm to others, society, or property during their release, the judge must set bail conditions for the defendant who would have otherwise been eligible for release without posting bail.
During the arraignment, the prosecution charged Seth with third-degree burglary and petty larceny, and requested that the judge continue to detain him without bail.
Judge Jennifer Saint-Preux ultimately set his bail at $10,000 cash or bond. The prosecution also requested that if Seth manages to post bail, he must be placed under home confinement.
Seth is currently being held at the infamous Rikers Island prison.