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A man who attempted to forcibly steal a drone from the Target on Route 66 was apprehended in the store’s parking lot, according to a news release from the Ocean Township Police Department.

Junior Manasse 29, of Long Branch was charged with robbery, possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and resisting arrest, officials said. He was also charged with shoplifting from an incident that occurred the day before.

Manasse requested assistance from an electronics department employee near 6:14 p.m. Saturday, officials said. When the employee removed a drone valued at $999.99 from the locked cabinet, Manasse forcibly grabbed it, brandished a hammer and fled.  

Police Officer Brendan Bernard and Zach Rhein took Manasse into custody in the parking lot after a brief struggle, officials said. He was remanded to Monmouth County Jail, pending an initial court appearance. Det Jesse Orbach assisted.

The police department has also issued a request to identify advisory, asking anyone with information re the woman in the photo [above right] contact Det Raheem Carter at 732-531-1428, 732-531-1800, rcarter@oceantwp.org, or anonymously via crimetips@oceantwp.org, 732-531-3323, facebook.com/OceanTwpPolice, or twitter.com/OceanTwpPolice.

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