Hoboken Man, Out On Bail, Faces Charges of Breaking Into Vehicle

Toms River Police responded to a report that a suspect was observed breaking into a vehicle on Bounty Court at midnight Thursday.

An investigation found that witnesses heard a noise, then observed a suspect break the window of a vehicle, according to Police Chief Michael Mastronardy.

One witness was Manchester Township Police Officer Arthur Cronk. Officer Cronk was off duty and identified himself as a police officer at which point the suspect stated “I have a gun,” Mastronardy said.

The suspect then fled on foot, being pursued by Officer Cronk. 

Within minutes Officer Daniel Herr and K-9 Officer Art Pennell arrived at the scene, on Vincent Drive, and they observed the suspect being chased by Officer Cronk.  

The suspect attempted to elude officers by jumping over a fence in the rear of a home on Mount Lane . 

The suspect began to actively strike and kick the officers who quickly placed him under arrest.

Police arrested Andrew Aurigemma, 22, of 514 Adams Avenue, Hoboken, a former Toms River resident, and charged him with burglary to a motor vehicle, criminal mischief, resisting arrest and aggravated assault on a police officer, according to Mastronardy. 

Officer Cronk was not injured, but Officer Herr was treated at Community Medical Center for a minor injury to his thumb that occurred while making the apprehension.

Aurigemma is being held in Ocean County Jail on $75,000 bail no 10 percent.

Prior to this incident, he was out on $50,000 bail after being arrested on November 1st inside the Silverton Pharmacy, Hooper Avenue, according to Mastronardy.

Officers Nate Williams and Dan Ruiz responded to an alarm at 1:30 a.m. when they observed a broken window and a suspect inside the pharmacy building. 

K-9 Officer Art Pennel and his partner Blitz conducted a building search and located Aurigemma hiding inside the pharmacy.