Man Charged With Bias Intimidation, Threats At Target: Brick PD

BRICK, NJ — A Brick Township man is facing multiple charges including bias intimidation and terroristic threats in connection with a harassment incident at Target on Monday, Brick police said.

Francis Dudas, 51, of Brick, was arrested Tuesday after he was identified following the release of a surveillance photo from the store on Route 70 by Brick police on Monday.

Police were called to Target about 7:30 p.m. Monday following the incident, which started with a comment from the suspect, now identified as Dudas, to a man outside the store,harassing the man and telling him to telling the man to "go back to Lakewood."

The man told police he ignored the comment and went into the store. Dudas followed him, repeating the statement, and then proceeded to follow the man throughout the store as, taunting him as he shopped. The man said he finally turned to confront Dudas and said he was going to call police, and Dudas replied, "you'll have to call an ambulance, too."

Police received a number of tips that led to the identification of Dudas. Sgt. Keith Donnelly, along with Detectives Dominick Puccio, Brian Farnkopf and Robert Shepherd, used the police department's drone to find Dudas in the wooded area to the east of Cedar Bridge Avenue, and he was arrested, police said.

Dudas has been charged with bias intimidation simple assault; bias intimidation harassment; simple assault, harassment and terroristic threats, and is being held in the Ocean County Jail.

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