Tips From Public Help Toms River Cops Nab Theft Suspect

The suspect in a Dec. 14 theft in Toms River. (Credit: TRPD)

Hours after posting his photo online, tips from the public led to the arrest of a man suspected of stealing a backpack out of a vehicle in the ShopRite supermarket parking lot on Route 37, then stealing 13 items from the store.

William Swenson, 54, of Beachwood, is charged in the incident. Toms River Detective Jon Turner and Patrol Officer Rebecca Sayegh took Swenson into custody at the residence and charged him with burglary and theft, police spokesman Ralph Stocco said. He was released pending a future court date.

According to police, Swenson allegedly entered an unoccupied vehicle in the parking lot at about 10 a.m. last Thursday morning and stole a backpack and drum sticks belonging to a local student. Then, he went into the supermarket, loaded up on 13 items and walked out without paying for them.

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He left in a van that police tracked to a Manchester address. No charges have been filed against the van’s driver, Stocco said.