Pair Sought After Boscov's Shoplifting Incident Turns Violent In Toms River

TOMS RIVER, NJ -- Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying a man and a woman involved in a fight at Boscov’s after an attempt to detain them on suspicion of shoplifting, Toms River police said Friday.

Police were called to Boscov’s at Ocean County Mall about 8 p.m. Thursday for a report of a fight, said Ralph Stocco, spokesman for the Toms River Police Department.

The responding officers were told two people had been observed shoplifting clothing from the juniors department, removing merchandise from the racks and placing it in a bag from another retail establishment, Stocco said.

They were approached by a two loss prevention officers as they were leaving the store, Stocco said, but refused to comply with the loss prevention officers’ requests to accompany them to the security office.

Instead, the woman fled the store and the man attacked one of the loss prevention officers, Stocco said. A struggle ensued after the man began punching the officer in the face and causing bleeding from his nose and mouth, he said. Both men fell to the ground prior to the suspect escaping, he said.

The pair then fled in a black Hyundai that was possibly a Sonata, Stocco said.

The assault on the loss prevention officer means what was a minor shoplifting offense has now been upgraded to a robbery charge, Stocco said. Bail for the two will be set when they are arrested, he said.

“When a physical assault occurs during the commission of a theft, the charges are upgraded to a robbery charge,” he said.

Anyone who believes they can identify the pair is asked to contact Officer Matthew Crosta at 732-349-0150 extension 1392.