Crime & Safety

Toms River Man Arrested in Home Invasion Robbery

Victims chased down robber, police say

A Toms River man is behind bars Monday, accused in the home invasion robbery of a township couple.

The home invasion occurred at about 9 p.m. Sunday night, police spokesman Ralph Stocco said. A 32-year-old male and a 31-year-old female told police that they were inside of their 2nd Bayway home when they heard a banging at the front door. A few seconds later, an intruder, identified as Mario J. Ortiz, 39 of Waters Edge Drive, was inside of their home brandishing a handgun, Stocco said.

The couple handed over $60 in cash after Ortiz pointed the gun at the pair, Stocco said, at which point Ortiz fled from the home.

The female victim gave chase on foot while the male victim trailed the suspect with his vehicle, Stocco said. As Ortiz fled he was shedding his ski mask, gloves, and clothing as he tried, unsuccessfully, to escape through several fenced in yards. 

A magazine to the gun was located in a front yard and the handgun was tossed into a second yard by Ortiz, according to Stocco.

As the victims chased him down they were yelling at neighbors to call the police.  Minutes later, the two victims caught up to him near the Cosmic Surf Shop on Route 37 East just as the officers arrived. 

Ortiz was arrested and charged with home invasion robbery, burglary, possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes. He is being held in the Ocean County Jail on $150,000 bail.


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