Theft, assault charges
lodged against resident
MANALAPAN — Police arrested one man and are continuing to search for two more suspects in an incident that started with the theft of a purse and ended with an assault on a police officer.
According to information provided by police, three people stole a purse containing $1,500 cash from a woman who was at the Rendezvous restaurant, Route 9, in the Home Fashion Center, at about 1:30 a.m. Aug. 18.
Police said when members of the victim’s family and restaurant management confronted the suspects they fled from the premises.
Following a search, Gennadity Burka-tovsky, 37, of Manalapan, was found hiding in a nearby cornfield by Manalapan K-9 officer Max, his handler, Patrolman William Martin, and Officer Jennie Bar-ron, according to a police press release.
Burkatovsky was transported to police headquarters and while he was being processed he became unruly and attempted to kick and strike several officers, according to the press release. He was finally subdued with the use of pepper spray.
Burkatovsky was charged with theft, conspiracy and aggravated assault on a police officer. He was placed in the Mon-mouth County jail, Freehold Township, with bail set at $10,000 and no 10 percent option.
Police are continuing an investigation in the hope of identifying the other two suspects.
— Mark Rosman