Paul Tomasi Jr., 28, of Manahawkin, surrendered to Tom River police on Wednesday after investigators received more than a dozen tips about his identity, authorities said.
Paul Tomasi TOMS RIVER -- An alleged shoplifter accused of assaulting a store security officer in Toms River has been arrested and charged, authorities said on Thursday.
Paul Tomasi Jr., 28, of Manahawkin, surrendered to Tom River police on Wednesday after investigators received more than a dozen tips about his identity, said Ralph Stocco, spokesman for the Toms River Police Department.
Toms River police put out a request for help in identifying a man, who with a woman, allegedly shoplifted from Boscov's department store in the Ocean County Mall on Jan. 14.
Security guard attacked by shoplifter, police say
Police said that after observing a man and a woman shoplift from the store, two security officers approached them as they were leaving. The two had taken clothing items off the rack in the juniors department and put them in a bag from another store without paying for them.
When the couple was confronted, the man struggled with one of the security officers while the woman ran off. The man punched the officer in the face and they both fell to the ground before the shoplifter fled, authorities said at the time.
Within two hours of releasing an image of the suspects from the surveillance video to media outlets and social media, police received more than a dozen tips that ultimately led to Tomasi's arrest, Stocco said.
He was charged with robbery and aggravated assault and is being held in the Ocean County Jail in Toms River in lieu of $60,000 bail.
The woman has been identified but because charges are still being considered, police have not released her name, Stocco said. He said the investigation is continuing.
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