Toms River Man Arrested Following Suspected Walmart Robbery

Brick police arrested two local men after they were called to the township's Walmart store to investigate a robbery.

When officers Ryan Talty and Daniel Kenny arrived at about 6:10 p.m. Monday, they saw loss prevention officers from the store on the ground struggling with a male suspect, said Sgt. Henry Drew.

The officers immediately intervened and were able to place the suspect – identified as Gregory R. Ferrentino, 32, of Friar Court in Toms River – into custody.

Drew said a an investigation on scene revealed that Ferrentino was observed removing an anti-theft cable from a Toshiba laptop computer. He allegedly used a pair of pliers to cut the cable, then concealed the computer under his jacket before attempting to leave the store.

Loss Prevention associates confronted Ferrentino near the front exit of the store and the struggle ensued, Drew said. The laptop computer, a pair of pliers, and a hypodermic needle were seized from Ferrentino and placed into evidence. The computer was valued at $639.

Police also arrested a friend of Ferrentino at the scene after he was found to be in possession of a hypodermic needle, Drew said.

Robin Lomboy, 42, of Aberdeen Drive in Lakewood, was charged with possession and discarding a hypodermic needle and littering, and released on a summons.

Ferrentino was charged with robbery, shoplifting in excess of $500, possession of burglary tools, and possession of a hypodermic needle. His bail was set at $100,000 cash by Superior Court Judge Francis R. Hodgson. He was being lodged in the Ocean County Jail.