CAR JACKING

DATE/TIME: 8/8/2007 5:35 PM
LOCATION: Target, Seaview Mall
OFFICERS INVOLVED: Todd Gregory, Sgt. Charles Weinkofsky, and Detective Sgt. Thomas Burke, Detective Gregory Tongring, Detective Timothy Torchia and Officer William Crosta.

NARRATIVE:
     On 8/8/2007 at approximately 5:35 pm, police were called to the Target store in reference to a subject shoplifting DVD players and then fleeing the store. Target security personnel were attempting to catch up with the subject prior to police arrival. Officer Todd Gregory and Sgt. Weinkofsky arrived at Target and learned that an unknown black male subject wearing a white tank top shirt, jean shorts and a black hat, exited the store with two Panasonic DVD players and two packages of undershirts without paying for same. The subject then placed the items in a taxicab that was waiting out in front of the store. The subject then entered the cab and as the cab began to drive away, a Target loss prevention officer began to give chase while on foot. The cab reached the service road behind the Applebee’s restaurant and the subject subsequently got out of the cab. Once out of the cab, the subject then ran up to a Jeep Cherokee that was stopped in traffic and forced his way into the Jeep. The subject then told the driver of the Jeep, a 61-year-old male from Neptune City, that someone had stolen his car and he needed help to get it back. The subject then instructed the driver of the Jeep to drive into Neptune Twp. A passing motorist witnessed the subject force his way into the Jeep and notified Neptune Twp. Police. The passing motorist followed the Jeep while staying on the phone with police and provided the location of the Jeep as they drove. The driver of the Jeep drove the subject to Hwy 35 and West Bangs Ave. The subject then asked the driver for money in which he received $5.00 from the driver and then exited the Jeep. The subject was last seen running east across Hwy 35 from West Bangs Ave.
     Anyone who may have witnessed this ordeal is asked to contact Detective Gregory Tongring or Detective Timothy Torchia at 732-531-1800.