Two serial shoplifters in Monmouth/Ocean County busted in Stafford
Two men who spent an entire day stealing from several Home Depot's, Kohl's and a Target in Ocean and Monmouth Counties saw their thievery come to an end in Stafford Township.
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Thursday September 9 was when Stafford Police made the arrests of 50-year old Ronald Schimbauer of Toms River and 48-year old Ronald Eckert of South Toms River who are now facing several charges related to their heists at Home Depots in Ocean and Monmouth Counties that day.
Stafford Police said they were conducting surveillance with their Drug Enforcement Unit on the two men when they spotted a Black KIA Soul matching the description of Schimbauer and Eckert.
Both men were then seen shoplifting at the Kohl’s and Target department stores in Stafford.
The Stafford Police DEU approached saw Schimbauer leave Target and attempted to arrest him for Shoplifting, but he tried to run from the Detectives, albeit briefly, as he was then subdued in the parking lot.
With Schimbauer in custody at this point, Eckert, who was driving the Kia Soul, took the opportunity to drive away.
He was stopped by Stafford Police and was arrested without incident on Route 72 near Stafford Park Boulevard.
For his role in the shoplifting spree, Schimbauer was charged with multiple counts of Shoplifting, Criminal Attempt to Shoplift and Resisting Arrest.
The total amount of items he allegedly shoplifted on this day was over $2,500, police said.
Following his arrest and processing, Schimbauer was transported to Ocean County Jail and may face additional charges.
Eckert was charged with possession of CDS Crack/Cocaine, Possession of CDS Paraphernalia, and multiple counts of Conspiracy to Commit Shoplifting.
Police also issued him traffic summonses for Driving while suspended, Operation of a Motor Vehicle while Possession of a CDS Narcotic and multiple other motor vehicle summonses.
The KIA Soul Eckert was driving was seized by the DEU.
Following his arrest and processing, Eckert was released on a criminal complaint summons pending a future court appearance.
"Shoplifting and drug related offenses are related due to the fact that shoplifting leads to the black market sales of the stolen items, and in turn is used to buy, possess and sell narcotics."