Sandy Anti-Looting Squad Nabs Alleged Thief

A special patrol created to target looters in the wake of Superstorm Sandy has accused a man of stealing material that was being used to restore a home along the Jersey Shore.

The anti-looting patrol stopped Eric Scharff, 22, of Toms River as he walked in the Ortley Beach section of Toms River just after midnight Tuesday.

Toms River Police Chief Michael Mastronardy tells the Asbury Park Press officers located his pickup truck and found more than $10,000 worth of construction materials.

Mastronardy says the three metal ladders, new copper pipe coils, a Freon scale and HVAC gauge set were reported stolen from a garage in the Silver Beach section of the township on Monday night.

Scharff was held on $30,000 bail, charged with burglary and theft.
 
Mastronardy said the anti-looting task force will remain.

“It was formed to reduce the opportunity for people to enter vacant homes and steal things, particularly copper,” Mastronardy told the paper. “Our plan is to reduce the victimization of our neighbors who have already been victimized by Superstorm Sandy.”

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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