Man Accused Of Stealing $4,900 In Tools From Brick Home Depot

BRICK, NJ — A Manchester man is accused of stealing more than $4,900 worth of power tools from Home Depot on Tuesday and could face more charges, Brick police said Thursday.

Michael S. Shecton, 28, of the Whiting section, was arrested Tuesday afternoon at the store off Route 70 near the Laurelton interchange, Brick Sgt. Jim Kelly said.

Police were called to the store about 3:30 p.m. after a loss prevention officer saw Shecton putting items into empty bins, Kelly said. The loss prevention officer was familiar with Shecton from previous incidents, he said.

Officers with the township's Street Crimes Unit arrived while Shecton was still in the store, but he walked out without paying for the merchandise, which he had loaded into a shopping cart, Kelly said. When the loss prevention officer tried to stop him, Shecton ran. Detective Sgt. Lawrence Petrola and Detectives Jeff Person and Matt Firneno chased him and caught and arrested Shecton, with assistance from Patrolman Anthony Barlowski, who arrived at the store, Kelly said.

A subsequent search of Shecton's car turned up a bag of gold jewelry that police believe was evidence from other crimes; Kelly said that is under investigation.

Shecton is charged with shoplifting and obstruction of justice and is being held at the Ocean County Jail.

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