Police Investigating Stolen Air Conditioners, Car Burglary; Make Assault Arrest

Chief Michael Mastronardy of the Toms River Township Police Department provided the following information regarding recent criminal activity in the area this week:

* Twelve 5000-BTU window air conditioner units were reported stolen this week from a vacant building, formerly the Country Manor Nursing Home, said police. Officers Thomas Dugan and Christian Kant are investigating the theft of the equipment, currently valued at over $1,000. 

* Police reported that Officer Travis Seaman is investigating the burglary of a vehicle in the Target parking lot on Hooper Avenue at 3 p.m. on Thursday. A white male with light brown hair, about six feet in height with a thin build, was caught on security video breaking a window on a Dodge PT Cruiser that was parked in the parking lot. The suspect, wearing blue jeans, a yellow shirt, and a black backpack, approached the vehicle on foot, looked into other vehicles then came back and smashed out the passenger-side window. The suspect then ran off, apparently scared off by other customers. The victim, a 73 year-old Seaside Park woman, had her vehicle locked, but a set of keys were left on the front seat.

* Police also reported that School Resource Officer Frank Bopp arrested Rozel Foster, 19, of 1903 Breckenridge Place in Toms River, for assault at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday afternoon at Toms River High School North. Principal Edward W. Keller and Officer Bopp advised Mr. Foster numerous times that he was not a student, and would have to leave the premises. After Foster continually refused, Officer Bopp advised Foster he would have to arrest him for trespassing. Foster then struck Officer Bopp, resulting in his arrest. He was charged with aggravated assault and held on $5,000 bail.