Crime & Safety

UPDATE: Gas Station Theft Suspect Arrested Again, at Best Market

On Tuesday, David Koch of Middletown was arrested at Best Market for stealing a wallet -- just after being arrested for a second time on charges he took money from the cash register at the Palmer Ave. Exxon on Saturday.

This report was updated on Wednesday, March 28.

Gas station theft suspect David Koch, 23, of Middletown was arrested again in Holmdel Township, this time for allegedly stealing a wallet with cash and credit cards from an employee break room at in the Holmdel Commons.

On Tuesday, Holmdel Police arrested Koch and charged him with theft after they said he lifted a wallet with cash and credit cards from an employee break room at the supermarket on March 20, where he was employed. 

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The incident was reported to police by the victim who came to police headquarters. Holmdel Ptl. Michael Dowens and Det. Eric Hernando identified Koch through the store's video surveilance system. Koch was arrested and charged with a disorderly persons charge (the wallet contained less than $200) and fourth degree theft (for the credit cards) and released without bail pending his court date in April. It is customary to release suspects for these kind of offenses unless the person is considered a flight risk, said Lt. Michael Smith on Wednesday.

"He will probably be charged again this week with another theft from Best Market," said Lt. Smith. "We had another woman come in and advised she had her Coach pocketbook stolen, and $200 in cash, on the same day as the other one."

Find out what's happening in Holmdel-Hazletwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The arrest came on the same day his photo ran on the front page of Holmdel Patch, announcing his alleged second attempt to steal money from the Exxon Service Station cash register. The station is located at Palmer Ave and Route 35 North in Holmdel, near Target. Koch resides at 864 Palmer Ave in Middletown.

Police say Koch waited until he had an opportunity and went behind the counter, opened the cash register and stole approximately $340. An employee witnessed it, said police.

Koch was subsequently chased by employees where he was subdued and held until police arrival, according to the police report. He was charged with theft.

Koch was transported to Holmdel Police headquarters for processing and then to Bayshore Community hospital for a collarbone injury which he sustained when he was subdued by Exxon employees, according to police. 

This was the second time Koch was arrested for an incident at that Exxon station. The first was April 22, 2011 for Burglary, Theft, Criminal Mischief, and Conspiracy to Commit Burglary. Read the story on Holmdel Patch. According to Lt. Michael Smith of Holmdel Police Dept, Koch received probation for those charges.


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