2 Charged With $2.5K Theft From Stafford Stores: Police

STAFFORD, NJ — Two men face charges after stealing from multiple stores in Stafford Township last week, police said.

On Thursday around 4 p.m., the Stafford Township Police Department’s Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) was conducting surveillance on two known serial shoplifters.

Police received a report that two people stole from Home Depots in Ocean and Monmouth counties. The DEU was able to locate two suspects driving a black KIA Soul matching the description of the serial shoplifters, police said.

During surveillance, Ronald Schimbauer, 50, of Toms River and Ronald Eckert, 48, of South Toms River were observed shoplifting at the Kohl’s and Target department stores in Stafford Township, police said.

As Schimbauer exited Target, detectives attempted to arrest him, but Schimbauer tried to run from the detectives. He was taken into custody after a brief chase, according to police.

At this time, Eckert fled the parking lot in the black Kia Soul until he was stopped by police and arrested without incident on Route 72 near Stafford Park Boulevard, police said.

The items he shoplifted that day were worth over $2,500, according to police.

Schimbauer was charged with multiple counts of shoplifting, criminal attempt to shoplift and resisting arrest. He was taken to Ocean County Jail. Additional charges are pending.

Ronald Eckert was charged with possession of controlled dangerous substances (CDS) crack/cocaine, possession of CDS paraphernalia, and multiple counts of conspiracy to commit shoplifting.

Eckert also received 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 that Eckert was driving was seized by the DEU. After processing, Eckert was released on a criminal complaint summons pending a future court appearance.

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