Man assaulted, robbed women, 102 and 72, in Toms River home invasion

Police are seeking the public’s help in locating a man wanted for a brazen home invasion robbery yesterday evening in Toms River.

Police responded to a house on Dock Street near the township’s downtown area at 8:40 p.m. and determined that two women were robbed inside the dwelling by a lone assailant, said Toms River Police Department spokesman Ralph Stocco in a release.

According to the spokesman, a 72-year-old woman, home alone with her 102-year-old mother, answered the door after the doorbell rang and was immediately pushed inside by a man in his 30s.

“He grabbed control of her arms and dragged her towards the interior of the home and towards the 102-year-old woman. She tried to activate her lifeline pendant that was around her neck,” Stocco said. “However, the suspect pushed the 102-year-old to the floor and yanked it away before she could push the button.”

The victims complied with repeated demands for cash, and the suspect fled the house with money, running south on Dock Street, the spokesman said.

Police describe the suspect as a white male approximately 5-feet, 8-inches tall with a thin build, wearing a black knit hat, jeans, and a waist length coat.

The Ocean County Sheriff’s Office CSI Unit responded and is assisting with the investigation. Anyone with information should contact Det. Lou Santora at 732-349-0150 x1276.