'Honest shoppers' took goods, left cash at unlocked store

PATERSON, N.J., Aug. 28 (UPI) -- Managers at a New Jersey store are praising some "honest shoppers" who came into the store when it was supposed to be closed and paid for their purchases.

Marci Lederman, operations manager at Buddy's Small Lots in Wayne Township in Passaic County, said security footage shows four young men entering the store through an unlocked door when it was supposed to be closed Sunday night and searching for employees before gathering their intended goods and proceeding to checkout, the News 12 New Jersey cable network reported Wednesday.

"Not only did they leave money on the counter, they counted out the change," Lederman said.

The men, dubbed the "honest shoppers," were identified as Thomas James, Kell'E Gallimore, Jelani Bruce and Anthony Biondi, players for William Paterson University's football team, NJ.com reported.

"It looked like it was open," Gallimore said of the store. "Some lights were on, some lights were off. No one was at the cash register."

Lederman allowed the players to have some items from the store as a reward for their honesty.

"They represented themselves, their families and the team very well," Coach Jerry Flora said.