Crime & Safety

UPDATE: Toms River Purse Snatcher: Have You Seen This Man?

Police are looking for man snuck up behind victim, knocked her down and stole her purse

Toms River Police have asked for the public's in helping find a man who snatched a 76-year-old woman's purse this weekend, causing her to be injured.

The suspect, partially caught on a security camera, is described as a black male 5 feet 9 inches tall, wearing a black jacket with red sleeves, blue jeans and a black knit hat with red stripes.

The robbery, which took place outside the Toms River Kohl's store on Route 37,
occurred when the victim was walking in front of the store, said Police Chief Michael Mastronardy.

The suspect ran up behind her and ripped away her purse, causing her to fall to the ground, Mastronardy said. A witness came to her aid and briefly chased the suspect, who ultimately got away after he ran into the woods near the Garden State Parkway.

The suspect fled with the victim’s burgundy purse which contained $50, her cell phone and other personal papers, said Mastronardy. She was transported to Community Medical Center for treatment of her injuries.

Officer Louis Taranto, Detective Robert O’Neill and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department are investigating the robbery. Anyone with information is requested to call O’Neill at 349-0150 ext. 1255.


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