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A Jersey City man who shoplifted one pound of mozzarella cheese, similar to the cheese in the stock photo above, from a Union City supermarket spent about 100 days behind bars for the offense because he allegedly pushed a store security guard while fleeing.

JERSEY CITY -- A city man who shoplifted one pound of mozzarella cheese from a Union City supermarket spent more than 100 days behind bars for the offense because he allegedly pushed a store security guard while fleeing.

Thomas M. Campbell, 55, of Greenville Avenue, stole the cheese from Ram Supermarkets/Fine Fare on Nov. 8 and was taken into custody a couple of blocks away, Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Gene Rubino said.

Campbell's bail was set at $75,000 cash or bond and he was remanded to the Hudson County jail in Kearny for the theft. Because he did not post bail, Campbell remained in jail for more than 100 days.

Campbell's public defender declined to comment.

A theft becomes a robbery when force or the threat of force is present. Robbery is a serious criminal offense with two degrees. Second degree robbery carries a possible sentence of five to 10 years in prison, while armed robbery is a first degree crime and carries a sentence of 10 to 20 years. In each case, 85 percent of the sentence must be served before becoming eligible for parole.

"Unfortunately, the statute designates that conduct is the same as the robbery situation we all fear of a man in a mask lying in wait for someone," said Daniel Welsh, who works as a defense attorney. "I think there should be some element in the statue to differentiate those types of scenarios from a typical robbery case."

In the end, the cheese bandit pleaded guilty on Feb. 19 to the disorderly persons offense of shoplifting before Hudson County Superior Court Judge John Young. The judge ordered him immediately released at the plea hearing.

When sentenced by Young on April 10, Campbell will face either probation or up to 180 days in jail.

The security guard was not harmed in the incident.