Ocean Township man charged for stealing $27,000 worth of Red Bull

Red Bull gives most people wings but it'll give an Ocean Township man a day in court after he altered the route of $27,000 worth of the energy drink from the company.

It's not clear the motive or even where the stolen energy drinks are now but 36-year-old Christopher L. Hammond of the Oakhurst section of Ocean Township has been charged with third-degree Theft by Unlawful Taking, fourth-degree Forgery, and fourth-degree False Uttering, according to a Tuesday announcement by Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey.

Hammond was a truck driver who was tasked with delivering the Red Bull energy drinks to designated local businesses to sell themselves but he took two large shipments and brought them to an unknown location but neither went where they were supposed to be going leaving the businesses with nothing of the kind to sell.

The Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office and Wall Township Police learned through their joint investigation that Hammond's theft occurred at the Wall-based beverage distribution center between June and July of last year.

Investigators also learned that Hammond forged two bogus invoices for the Red Bull he was supposed to deliver but never did as part of his effort to try and cover up his theft.

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Acting Prosecutor Linskey said that Hammond was served the charges via summons on Monday, pending an upcoming first appearance in Monmouth County Superior Court.

“We at the Prosecutor’s Office remain committed to vigorously investigating and prosecuting significant instances of theft – regardless of the type of item stolen,” Acting Prosecutor Linskey said in a written statement. “And we thank the tireless efforts of our partners with the Wall Township Police Department for their assistance in this case.”

The case has been assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Kristen Anastos. Hammond is being represented by Barry R. Slott, Esq., with an office in Asbury Park.

If he is convicted of the theft, Hammond faces a penalty of up to five years in state prison.

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