Police: Man Stole Scrap Metal, Bit Wall Police Officer During Arrest

A Brick Township man who is accused of attempting to burglarize a Wall Township scrap yard for at least the seventh time is accused of biting a police officer who was trying to arrest him in the burglaries, according to court documents.

Andrew R. Thomas, 39, of Rocky Mountain Boulevard, faces multiple counts in the case, according to the complaint filed at the Monmouth County Courthouse by Wall police.

Thomas is accused of breaking into Lertch Wrecking, Disposal and Recycling of Belmar Boulevard in Wall on six dates in April and May, and had returned to burglarize it once more on Saturday when he was caught, according to the complaint.

On each occasion -- April 18, 26 and 27, and May 7, 9 and 13 -- he is accused of stealing more than $500 worth of scrap, according to the complaint. On Saturday, he was on the premises at Lertch, which was closed at the time, when police arrived, according to the complaint. As they tried to arrest him, Thomas fled the business. When police caught him, the complaint says, he fought the arrest, hitting the officer and biting him on the arm, police said.

At the time of the arrest he was found to be in possession of burglar’s tools, the complaint said.

Thomas faces six counts each of burglary, theft and possession of burglar’s tools in the first six dates. Additionally, he faces charges of trespassing, burglary, theft, possession of burglar’s tools, possession with the intent to use burglar’s tools, preventing his arrest by fleeing the scene of a crime and using physical force against the officers, and causing bodily harm by hitting and biting the officer in the arm, the complaint said.

Thomas was taken to the Monmouth County Jail, Freehold, with bail set at $153,000, no 10 percent.