Woman Grabbed In Car Robbery, Manchester Man Charged

A Manchester man was arrested and charged with robbery after an encounter at a red light in Toms River, where he allegedly reached into a woman's car, grabbed her and demanded money.

Toms River Police Chief Michael Mastronardy said a 48 year-old Toms River woman was stopped at the red light at Old Freehold and Bey Lea Road at 7 p.m. Saturday, when an occupant of a nearby vehicle hopped out of the car, and tried to get into her car and demanded money.

The man reached into her car, grabbing the woman, in an attempt to rob her of money, said the police chief.

He said the victim locked her car doors as the man reached in through a window, but he eventually retreated and got back in his car, which was also stopped at the traffic light. The car drove off, and the victim followed it to an apartment complex on Bey Lea Road, also known as Route 571.

Officer Ryan Quinn responded to the robbery, and Officer Shawn Ruiz with the assistance of the victim located the suspect near a wooded area on Bey Lea Road, police said.

Detectives Roger Hull and Louis Santora charged Thomas Hupp, 21, of Manchester Township with robbery. Hupp was held on $75,000 bail, no 10 percent.