An upswing in shoplifting arrests corresponded with the onset of the holiday shoping barrage, according to this week’s police blotter. Also, a mini mart crash leads to multiple charges and a wrong-way entrace to Best Buy ends with drug arrests.

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A 24-year-old Passaic man was arrested on eight separate charges on Nov. 23 after driving a vehicle into the mini mart at a Hess gas station on Route 3 West and attempting to flee the scene, police said.

Seacucus police responded to the 400 Route 3 West location at around 3:28 p.m. on a report of a motor vehicle accident. When they arrived, the individual — Margarito Aguilar — fled on foot but was shortly apprehended by officers.

He was hit with eight charges, including driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, driving without a license, uninsured vehicle, unregistered vehicle, leaving the scene of an accident, hindering apprehension, and eluding arrest.

Information for this column was provided by Det. Sgt. Thomas O’Keeffe of the Secaucus Police Department and reported by esecaucus.com. Reports of charges do not imply guilt or innocence.

Mon., Nov. 23 – Secaucs police arrested two New York men were for shoplifting at Wal-Mart on Park Place.

Luis Fernandez, 31, of Bronx, N.Y., and Nolan Ynoa, 31, of Yonkers, are accused of trying to take $96.24 worth of knives at around 9:52 p.m.

Fri., Nov. 27 – Police arrested two Maryland-area residents on charges related to a controlled dangerous substance after a traffic stop at Best Buy on Paterson Plank Road.

Oluwaseyi Abolade Akerele, 30, of Maryland, and Demetria Antonette Pelote, 22, of Washington, D.C., were stopped after their vehicle entered the store parking lot via an exit ramp. The officer smelled a strong odor of burnt marijuana coming from the vehicle. A subsequent investigation found marijuana in the car.

Both were charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance. Akerele was also charged with careless driving and possession of a CDS in a motoro vehicle.

Fri., Nov. 27 – A 50-year-old North Bergen and 16-year-old female minor were arrested on shoplifting charges in the late evening, police said.

Catalina Aguilar, 50, of North Bergen, and the minor are accused of shoplifting jackets, shoes and other items worth more than $134.

Fri., Nov. 27 – A 26-year-old woman from North Carolina was arrested for shoplifting at Wal-Mart in the early morning hours, police said.

Zena Monique Gray is accused of trying to leave the store without paying for vairious clothing and cosmetics worth $98.72.

She was arrested at aruond 2:13 a.m.

Sat., Nov. 28 – A 47-year-old Jersey City man was arrested at Wal-Marty for credit fraud.

Michael Morano is accused of trying to purchase a PlayStation 3 game and a Ninentendo DS system valued at $244.99 with a fraudulent credit card.

Sat., Nov. 28 – A 28-year-old Mahwah woman was arrested for shoplifting at Wal-Mart in the evening, police said.

Anindita Ghosh, 28, of Mahwah, is accused of taking a men’s watch, two women’s watches and a purse valued at $40.

Sun., Nov. 29 – Two Hudson County residents were arrested for shoplifting sneakers at Kohl’s in the afternoon, police said.

Moreno Ortiz, 32, of Union City, and Jan Carlos Rivera, 29, of Jersey City, are accused of trying to leave the store without paying for sneakers worth $143 and $130, respectively.

Rivera was also found to have outstanding warrants out of Union City and Weehawken.