Shoplifting ends in brawl, suspects on the loose, say Toms River police

Two suspected shoplifters in a Toms River department store - one who allegedly slugged a loss-prevention officer - are on the run. If their faces, caught by surveillance cameras, ring a bell, township police want to hear from you.

It would have remained a minor shoplifting charge, authorities said, until the beating began. Now they face robbery counts.

Officers responding to a report of a fight in Boscov's, in the Ocean County Mall, around 8 PM Thursday, were told that a man and woman had been seen taking clothes off the racks in the juniors department and stuffing them into bags from another store.

As they headed for the exit, loss prevention officers interceded in an effort to bring them to the store's security office.

The woman ran from the store while the man, struggling with a loss prevention officer, punched him repeatedly in the face and drew blood from the officer's nose and mouth, police said.

They reportedly drove away in a black Hyundai. Police speculate that the model was a Sonata.

If you have information on either suspect, reach Officer Matthew Crosta, 732-349-0150, extenstion 1392.

Bail for each will be set when they are arrested, police said.