A month after a failed shoplifting attempt in Monmouth's Ocean Township, the suspect is cornered in Asbury Park. But, authorities say, dumping suspected heroin at police headquarters only worsened the situation.

Bags of Heroin
Jan Pitman, Getty Images
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Luis O. Lao, 45, was arrested November 30 in connection with the attempted theft at the Target Greatland store in the Seaview Mall on Halloween,  police said. He's charged with robbery and possession of heroin and marijuana.

Lao's whereabouts were unknown since the incident. Investigators determined that a suspect had tried palming merchandise worth $436.74, and roughed up a security worker as he fled empty-handed.

He was apprehended Sunday in Asbury Park and turned over to Ocean Township police. An officer watched Lao pull a plastic bag from his pants to discard it. It held 26 bags of suspected heroin and a "small amount" of marijuana, police said.

Lao was placed in the Monmouth County Correctional Facility in Freehold. Bail was set at $20,000, with no option for release on payment of 10 percent.

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