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NJ.com EDISON, NEW JERSEY An Edison police detective with more than 27 years with the department pleaded guilty today in New Brunswick to shoplifting from a township supermarket in March where he was working as a security guard. David Yanvary, 54, admitted concealing $42.27 worth of merchandise, including Golden Blossom honey, canola oil, a DVD of the movie "Role Models" and a candle. He had paid for other items before he left the store on the night of March 17.  Patti Sapone/The Star-Ledger/Former Edison police detective David Yanvary pleaded guilty in New Brunswick to Superior Court to shoplifting charges hone, canola oil and a DVD. The charge is a disorderly persons offense. Yanvary acknowledged the plea agreement calls for the forfeiture of his employment with the police department and prohibits him from ever holding a public job or a law enforcement position again in New Jersey. Middlesex County Assistant Prosecutor Manuel Sameiro said a store employee watched Yanvary on a surveillance camera take the items and confronted him outside the store. Yanvary told Judge Frederick De Vesa he was wearing his police uniform -- carrying his badge and service weapon -- the night he was working security. He said he viewed the supermarket work as a second job and was therefore working for the supermarket, not the police department the night he committed the crime. But De Vesa questioned him about the relationship, emphasizing he was wearing his police uniform. "The Edison Police Department provides security at various stores as long as private employers reimburse the costs, right?" the judge said. Yanvary insisted his arrangement was with Shop Rite and Shop Rite paid him, but admitted he had to turn over his paycheck to the Edison Police Department. The department then paid him for the security work, he said. His attorney, Timothy Smith of South Orange, said Yanvary pleaded guilty after the prosecutor's office threatened to indict him on charges of third degree official misconduct, a much more serious offense, which could have exposed him to a prison term. "I don't think the legislature intended for official misconduct to be applied to cases like these," Smith said. Smith said Yanvary several weeks before the crime had filed documents indicating his intention to retire from the police department. "His whole career he had an impeccable reputation," said the attorney, adding he couldn't explain why Yanvary shoplifted the items. De Vesa will sentence Yanvary on Oct. 20 at 9 a.m. to a term of community service and fines.
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