MANCHESTER – A Township woman has been charged with several offenses after threatening to set someone on fire and stealing their goods and cash, police said.
Eboni Hester, 27, of Manchester, was charged with Robbery, Aggravated Assault, Unlawful Possession of Weapons, Possession of Weapons for Unlawful Purposes and Theft in connection to an incident that occurred on June 21.
Around 2:12 p.m., an 18-year-old man reported to the Manchester Township Police Department that he was the victim of a robbery.
The victim told police that he was contacted by a woman on Snapchat who was interested in purchasing items he was selling. Later that day, the two met at the Dollar General, located at 1924 State Highway 37, to follow through with a transaction.
However, according to the victim, the woman poured a water bottle containing gasoline all over him and held a butane torch to the victim. She then forced him to hand over sneakers, clothing, about $300 in cash and his cell phone.
After robbing the victim, police said the woman fled the area westbound on Route 37.
Hester was later arrested and was lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing, police said.
The Manchester Township Police Department wants to remind residents of their “Safe Exchange Zone” located at the Municipal Complex. The public can complete online purchase transactions and make child custodial exchanges in this zone which is well-lit and under continuous video surveillance. The area consists of two marked parking spaces adjacent to town hall.
The Manchester Township Police Department would like to thank the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigations Unit for their assistance with this investigation.
Charges are merely accusations until proven in a court of law.
