Beachwood Man Charged In String Of Toms River Robberies: Police

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A Beachwood man has been charged in connection with five burglaries after he was arrested following a New Year's Eve robbery at the Exxon station near Main Street, Toms River police said Friday.

Thomas Jann, 33, was arrested about 2 a.m. New Year's Day after detectives found him at a Route 9 hotel in Toms River, police said.

Jann is accused of robbing the Exxon at 13 Route 37 East about 7 p.m., police said. The store clerk told police a man walked into the store, threw hot coffee on him and took money from the cash register before running off toward Route 166.

The investigation by Toms River police, including the K-9 Unit, the Ocean County Sheriff's Office, Beachwood police and the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office identified Jann as the robber, police said.

In addition to the Exxon robbery, detectives were able to connect Jann to three other Toms River robberies, plus one in Beachwood.

About 7:45 p.m. on Dec. 19, a man forced his way into a kiosk near the gas pumps at the Wawa at 1680 Route 9, near Stevens Road, and tried to grab money from the cash register. The gas attendant told police the man ran off. No weapon was shown.

About 5 p.m. Dec. 26, a man tried to get access to the cash register at the Krauszer’s, 946 Hooper Ave. near James Street. The clerk told police the man ran off after a brief struggle. The clerk was not injured, police said.

About 10:40 p.m. on Dec. 30, a man approached the store clerk behind the counter at the 7-Eleven at 1219 Route 166, near Hilltop Road, and told the clerk he had a weapon, police said. The man did not show a weapon, however. He took an undisclosed amount of money from the cash register and ran out of the store. The clerk was not injured, police said.

Jann also is accused of robbing Robin’s Convenience Store & Deli, 256 Atlantic City Blvd., Beachwood, on Christmas Eve.

Police Chief Mitchell A. Little credits the teamwork among law enforcement agencies for arresting Jann before someone was seriously hurt.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Toms River Police Detective Travis Seaman at 732-349-0150, ext. 1368.

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