Toms River Cops Seek ID of J.C. Penney Shoplifter

Toms River police are asking for the public's assistance in identifying a man who they say stole bottles of cologne from the J.C. Penney store in the Ocean County Mall earlier this month.

In the May 17 shoplifting incident, loss prevention officers observed a person they described as a heavyset black man in his late 20s concealing cologne bottles in his jacket, according to police spokesman Ralph Stocco.

He was apprehended, but ultimately fled on foot, Stocco said.

Now, police are hoping the man can be identified through an image captured on surveillance video.

"Although this is a minor infraction," Stocco said, "we still seek the public’s assistance in identifying the individual responsible for this crime with the realization that incidents such as this are, often times, repetitive in nature until the suspect is caught and charged."

Anyone with information is being asked to contact Detective Steve Bucci at 732-349-0150, extension 1300.