TOMS RIVER – Did a ShopRite employee sexually assault two females on the same day? That’s what a lawsuit is now claiming and police are confirming.
The Toms River Township Police Department told Jersey Shore Online that a 49-year-old woman and a 16-year-old girl were allegedly groped by Robert Derflinger, Jr. back on Monday, March 18 at the Toms River ShopRite store on Route 37 West.
According to spokesperson Jillian Messina, Derflinger’s behavior was unprovoked and store surveillance cameras corroborated the statements of the victims.
Both of the victims have filed a lawsuit in Superior Court, which also names the store manager, shift manager, Wakefern Food Corp. and Saker Holding Corp. as it appears that no one from the store tried to stop or even help the victims.
Information from the lawsuits say that Derflinger appeared to be intoxicated when he allegedly put his arm around the waist of the 49-year-old before grabbing her buttocks. He then allegedly tried to kiss her before she was able to pull away.
Then, it appears that he went to the dairy section and hugged the 16-year-old, followed her to the register and said he was the girl’s boyfriend and grabbed the teen’s breast, according to the lawsuit.
The 49-year-old tried to come to her aid.
Derflinger was arrested and charged with Criminal Sexual Contact but has since been released from jail on a summons pending a future court date.
