STAFFORD – Two men have been arrested for shoplifting after stealing from multiple stores in Stafford Township.
Around 4 p.m. on September 9, the Stafford Township Police Department’s Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) was conducting surveillance on two known serial shoplifters in the area.
Reports stated that the suspects stole from multiple Home Depots in Ocean and Monmouth County.
The officers located the two suspects who matched the description of the serial shoplifters driving a black KIA Soul. The suspects were identified as Ronald Schimbauer, 50, of Toms River and Ronald Eckert, 48, of South Toms River.
Surveillance showed that both Schimbauer and Eckert were shoplifting at the Kohl’s and Target department stores in Stafford Township.
As Schimbauer was leaving Target, the DEA attempted to arrest him but he tried to run, police said. Detectives were able to chase him down and arrest him. Eckert was driving the Kia Soul and fled from the parking lot. Police later stopped him on Route 72 near Stafford Park Boulevard and arrested him. The total amount of items shoplifted on this day was over $2,500.
Schimbauer was charged with multiple counts of Shoplifting, Criminal Attempt to Shoplift and Resisting Arrest. After processing Schimbauer was transported to Ocean County Jail in lieu of his charges and additional charges are pending.
Eckert was charged with possession of CDS Crack/Cocaine, Possession of CDS Paraphernalia, and multiple counts of Conspiracy to Commit Shoplifting. He also received traffic summonses for Driving while Suspended, Operation of a Motor Vehicle while Possession of a CDS Narcotic and multiple other motor vehicle summonses.
The public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
