Stop & Shop Purse-Snatching Suspect Nabbed in Northfield

Law enforcement authorities in Ocean, Atlantic and Essex counties engaged in a joint investigation which resulted in the arrest of a suspect charged with several counts of theft, including .

Maurice Cohen, 51, of 508 Pincus Ave. in Northfield, was arrested without incident at his residence at 9:30 a.m. today by the Atlantic County Regional Swat Team, reported Toms River Township Police Chief Michael Mastronardy. The chief noted that detectives from both Toms River and Millburn townships began a joint investigation after Cohen became a suspect in thefts from stores located at both the Ocean County Mall and Short Hills Mall.

“Toms River Detective Louis Santora and Officer Roger Hull signed complaints for theft from the Ocean County Mall that occurred on December 10, 2011, of various clothing from Macy’s department store,” said Mastronardy. Bail was set at $20,000, with no 10 percent option.

Subsequent to Cohen’s arrest this morning and the recovery of property found at his residence during the execution of a search warrant there, Officer Hull then charged Cohen with the Dec. 19, 2011 robbery at Stop & Shop in Toms River. Regarding that charge, bail was set at $150,000, also with no 10-percent option by Judge James Blaney. Later that night, Cohen was charged with a similar crime that occurred in the Short Hills Mall.

The vehicle used by Cohen in the alleged commission of these crimes and a police chase in Millburn Township was reported stolen from Newark, New Jersey, police said, and was later recovered in the vicinity of where Cohen was residing in Northfield.

Millburn Detective Lieutenants Keith Laverty and Andrew Delrusso are handling further complaints in their community with similar charges on Cohen.

“Toms River Detective Bureau Commander Bruce Burgess commended all the cooperation between the various agencies in developing information and their teamwork that resulted in the arrest of Mr. Cohen this morning,” said Mastronardy.