BRICK – A Manahawkin man was recently caught stealing products from the Home Depot on Route 88 in Brick Township. Forty-one year old Brian Eckardt has since been processed and released on summons for Shoplifting, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of a Hypodermic Syringe.
On the afternoon of April 9, Sgt. Paul Catalina of the Brick Township Police Department noticed Eckardt exiting the Home Depot while the anti-theft shoplifting sound went off at the store.
Upon closer examination, Catalina noticed Eckardt carrying two hard cases out of the store, both still containing the anti-theft wrap on them. These items were later discovered to be a $399 Milwaukee M18 Fuel Drill Kit and a $199 DeWalt Compact Brushless Drill/Driver Kit.
An employee at the Home Depot was also spotted following Eckardt out of the building requesting that he come back into the store.
When Eckardt broke into a run with the two boxes, Catalina followed suit. Catalina caught up to him as he entered a 2014 Hyundai Sonata and tried to drive off. After Catalina identified himself as a Brick officer, off duty Robbinsville Police Officer Matthew Hill also made his way over to the vehicle to assist.
Catalina successfully stopped Eckardt from driving off and placed him under arrest with the help of Hill.
After Eckardt was put in custody, Ptl. Prendeville, Detective Waleski, and Ptl. Wynn arrived on scene.
