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)
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.
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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