Balky car leads to arrest of four in shoplifting bid

Balky car leads to arrest
of four in shoplifting bid
BY DAVE BENJAMIN
Staff Writer

MANALAPAN — Four people who took aim at Target found out that police had them in their sights.

When Michael Dimeo, 26, of Toms River, and Thomas David Merry, 23, of Toms River, entered the Target department store in the Epicentre retail center, Route 9 and Symmes Road, at 4:21 Oct. 14, they probably did not suspect they would end up in police custody.

According to information provided by the Manalapan Police Department, Dimeo and Merry were observed by store security personnel picking up assorted DVDs and leaving the store. Security officers called police.

Once in the parking lot, Dimeo and Merry entered a vehicle that was occupied by David Meyer, 23, of Toms River, and Anthony Gray, 24, of Toms River, in an attempt to flee the scene, but the vehicle failed to start, according to police.

"The car, a 1987 Pontiac Firebird, overheated and there they were with the hood up trying to fix it," said Deputy Chief Stuart Brown. "It doesn’t happen like that every day, but in this case we certainly were lucky."

When the vehicle would not start, Dimeo and Merry fled on foot, leaving some of the DVDs in the vehicle with Meyer and Gray, according to police.

"Two bailed out and the other two stayed with the car," Brown said.

Store security personnel advised Patrolman Kevin McIntosh that DVDs valued at $533.97 were found inside the vehicle. Police said Meyer and Gray claimed they did not know that Dimeo and Merry had allegedly shoplifted the DVDs. They also claimed they did not know the identities of the two individuals who had tried to join them in the vehicle.

Police obtained descriptions of the suspects and searched the surrounding area. Merry was apprehended by Patrolman Brian Cruse. DVDs valued at $457.64 were found in his backpack, according to police.

Police said Merry was also found to have a controlled dangerous substance (CDS) and drug paraphernalia in his possession. He was charged with shoplifting, conspiracy to commit shoplifting, possession of CDS, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a hypodermic syringe.

Police also succeeded in tracking down and arresting Dimeo. He was charged with shoplifting, obstruction of justice, hindering apprehension and conspiracy to commit shoplifting.

Back at the Target parking lot, Gray was charged with receiving stolen property and conspiracy to receive stolen property. Meyer was charged with receiving stolen property, conspiracy to re­ceive stolen property and obstruction of justice.

McIntosh was assisted by Cruse, Patrolman Seth Kreizman, Sgt. Jeff Morrell, Patrolman Michael Johnson, Patrolman Ed Niesz, detectives Bob Rushnak and Sam Britton, Patrolman Frank Krause and K-9 officer Rocco.

Municipal Court Administrator Daniella Trancho said all of the charges were transferred to the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office because the dollar amount on the shoplifting makes it an indictable offense.