Lakewood woman allegedly robbed, slugged over debt

A hassle over money escalates into a robbery and a beating in Lakewood, according to township police who arrested a Brooklyn man in connection with the incident.

Gerard Keller, 28, is in the Ocean County Jail in Toms River, heading for court action on a robbery charge following the February 25 episode near the center of downtown.

Police were summoned to Cedarbridge Avenue, by the railroad tracks that traverse downtown, at about 4 PM Saturday. The 51-year-old alleged victim told Officer Kenneth Schaal that a friend had just taken her cell phone.

With Keller nearby, investigators were told that the two argued over a payment of an alleged debt that he was owed. The woman told police that Keller hit her in the right eye and took the phone. Keller, in possession of the phone, was arrested.

Charges are accusations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless, and until, found guilty in a court of law.