Police: Purse snatcher injures elderly woman outside Kohl’s in Toms River

     Surveillance video captured this image of the suspect. (Image: Toms River Police Department)

    Surveillance video captured this image of the suspect. (Image: Toms River Police Department)

    Police are searching for a man who they say snatched an elderly woman’s purse outside the Kohl’s store on Route 37 in Toms River Friday night.

    The 76-year-old Berkeley Township woman was injured during the incident that occurred around 6:30 p.m, said Chief Michael Mastronardy.

    Police say the suspect — described as a black male, 5-feet, 9-inches tall, wearing a black jacket with red sleeves, blue jeans, and a black knit hat with red stripes — ran up from behind the woman and ripped off her purse, containing $50, a cell phone, and other personal effects. 

    The woman then fell to the ground, while the suspect fled with her purse into a wooded area near the Garden State Parkway, Mastronardy said. A Good Samaritan aided the woman and ran after the suspect, who managed to escape. 

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    The victim was transported to Community Medical Center. Her injuries were not disclosed. 

    Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Robert O’Neill at (732) 349-0150 ext. 1255.

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