STAFFORD – A 51-year-old Manahawkin man was arrested for an attack on a woman over the weekend, police said.
Gilberto Rodriguez approached a 19-year-old woman in the parking lot of a Route 72 medical plaza around 9:45 p.m. Feb. 10. The woman, waiting for friends, was pulled from her vehicle after Rodriguez opened the driver side door. He demanded money, but Stafford police said she fought back. Rodriguez allegedly struck her in the face, which drew blood.
The man managed to steal her money and escape on foot. Officer Christopher Smith and his K-9 Ollie found a man matching Rodriguez’s description in the parking lot of Spirits liquor store. He was arrested and identified by his victim.
Rodriguez was charged with second-degree robbery, second-degree burglary, simple assault and theft. He was then taken to the Ocean County Jail.
The woman’s money was returned to her.
