Two Men Arrested In Theft Of Necklace Ripped From Elderly Woman's Neck

Toms River police say a flood of tips prompted by social media postings led to the apprehension of two men wanted in connection with the theft of a necklace from an 76-year-old woman on Friday at the Walmart on Route 37.

Michael Bowerman, 32, who had been identified as a suspect right away, and Brandon Myles, 28, were arrested Saturday, Toms River Police Department spokesman Ralph Stocco said.

Bowerman has been charged with theft and Myles, of Brookdale Drive, Forked River, was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit theft, Stocco said.

Stocco said the woman, a Whiting resident, told police she had just finished shopping and was putting her purchases in her car when a man approached her from behind and tore a gold necklace from her neck. He then fled on foot through the parking lot and ran south across Route 37. The woman was not injured during the theft, which happened shortly after 5 p.m., Stocco said.

Surveillance images were obtained and Bowerman was identified, Stocco said. The second white male -- now identified as Myles -- was observed with Bowerman, Stocco said.

The Seaside Heights Police Department assisted Toms River Detectives Steve Bucci and James Carey in the location and apprehension of Bowerman, who has a local address on Bay Avenue in Seaside Heights, Stocco said.

Myles was identified once his image from the surveillance video was disseminated through online news media as well as the police department’s Facebook page, Stocco said.

The necklace was recovered and will be returned to the victim, he said.

Bowerman and Myles both are being held at the Ocean County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bail each.

“We want to again thank the public for their willingness to get involved and partner with us in the apprehension of wanted persons,” Stocco said.

(Michael Bowerman, in white T-shirt, and Brandon Myles, in the black tank top, are being held at the Ocean County Jail. Photos courtesy Ocean County Corrections Department)