T.R. Police: Purse Snatching Reported Near Water Street Grille

Toms River Police are investigating a purse snatching that occurred just after 8 p.m. on Friday night at the intersection of Robbins Parkway and Water Street, near Baker's Water Street Bar and Grille. 

According to Chief Michael Mastronardy, a 45-year-old Brightwater, Va. woman was walking with her sister and her husband, a 54-year-old Island Heights man, when a male suspect ran past her and stole her purse. 

The victim and the witnesses were walking to their vehicle just after finishing dinner, Mastronardy said.

The male witness chased the suspect east on Water street, to the point where he was last observed near Spinnakers Cove. 

Officer Louis Taranto and Detective Robert O’Neil are investigating the theft and are looking for a male with a dark skin tone, 5’ 8”, 175 lbs., who was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans and white sneakers. 

The purse is a black Coach bag with a pink wallet.