A multi-county police investigation leads to the arrest of a suspect in a violent purse snatching incident in Toms River and connect him to a crime spree that spanned from north to south Jersey. Township Police Detective Louis Santora says 51-year-old Maurice Cohen of Northfield was taken into custody Wednesday morning at 9:30 by the Atlantic County Regional SWAT team during the execution of a search warrant .

Santora says Cohen is suspected in a 160 mile crime spree from Newark to Atlantic County. "Mr. Cohen was connected to an attempted purse snatching and robbery in Milburn, a successful purse snatch robbery in Milburn Township and numerous shoplifting incident that occurred at the Short Hills Mall.

Santora says Cohen is also connected to shoplifting incidents at the Ocean County Mall. Where he's suspected of stealing various clothing items from Macy's Department Store on December 10th. Where his bail was set at $20,000 no 10%.

a 74 year old Ocean County woman sustained injures when she was dragged some 30-feet during the Toms River purse snatching incident in the Stop & Shop parking lot off Route 37 on December 19th. State Superior Court Judge James Blaney of the Ocean County Vicinage set Cohen's bail at $150,000 no 10%.

Santora says a stolen vehicle from Newark connected Cohen to the incidents. "The stolen vehicle was located about a block away from Mr. Cohen's residence and through investigation it was learned that Mr. Cohen had been living in the area and once we were able to obtain a photograph we were able to match him to the shoplifting incidents.

Santora says investigators were able to retrieve stolen items connected to the robbery spree.

Santora says Toms River Patrolman Roger Hull did the lion's share of the foot work the lead to Cohen's arrest. He says Milburn Detectives have additional complaints in their community with similar charges.

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