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On Sunday, July 3, at approximately 11:30 p.m., officers responded to the beach, in the area of East Colony Road and South Surf Road for a report from private security of roughly 40 to 50 young adults refusing to leave. Upon officers arrival, the group was advised to disperse and did so without incident, police said.
While walking back down the street, an officer heard a male within a small group begin to shout obscenities. Residents from several houses came outside and the officer advised the male to walk quietly and not to disturb the residents in the area.
As he was approaching the male, the officer allegedly observed him steal a decorative sign from the front of a residence and walk away with the stolen property. He was instructed to stop but the male looked back at the officer and began to run. A foot pursuit ensued and he was ultimately taken into custody.
While the male stated he was a juvenile, and told the officer to let him go, it was later confirmed he was in fact 18, police said.
Andre Baskapan, 18 of Park Ridge, NJ was arrested and transported to Toms River Municipal Jail without further incident.
He was cited for theft, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct, police said.
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