Man Sentenced in Ocean County Mall Assault

A North Brunswick man was sentenced to 112 days jail-time served and probation this week for theft and aggravated assault.

Ross Brown, 22, pleaded guilty to charges of theft, aggravated assault, and possession of marijuana in connection with an incident that occurred May 18 at the Ocean County Mall in which Brown stole a gold necklace valued at $1,600 from the Piercing Pagoda stand, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said.

A mall security officer, in an attempt to stop Brown, followed him outside the mall to his car, at which point Brown entered the car and drove straight at the officer who was ordering him to stop.

The officer was struck, landed on the roof of the car, and Brown drove approximately 150 feet with the security officer on the car before stopping, according to prosecutors.

Brown previously pleaded guilty to the offense. He served a total of 112 days in the Ocean County Jail and was sentenced Tuesday to time served plus two years of probation.