Local Man Jailed on Robbery, Assault Charges after O.C. Mall Sears Shoplifting Incident

A Toms River man is facing assault and robbery charges after a shoplifting incident at Sears on Friday night, police said.

David Forte, 29, of Whitesville Road, was charged with robbery, aggravated assault and resisting arrest, and was being held at the Ocean County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail, no 10 percent, Toms River Police Chief Michael Mastronardy said.

Mastronardy said police were called to Sears in reference to a shoplifting and robbery about 7:30 p.m. on Friday. A white male had been stopped by loss prevention officers for Sears on suspicion of shoplifting cologne and was being held when he pulled a knife and lunged at the security officers, Officer Frank Moschella reported. The suspect ran out of the store and got into a white BMW and fled.

Toms River patrol units were given a description and Sgt. Ralph Stocco and Officer Wallace Polhemus stopped the car as it pulled up to Whitesville Road residence a short time later.

The suspect – Forte – got out of the car and tried to jump over a 6-foot fence but Stocco and Polhemus grabbed him and placed him under arrest.

Detective Louis Santora and Officers Art Pennell, Pascal Gambardella and Mark Nater assisted in the investigation and arrest.