Holmdel Police Nab Man They Say Shopped With Stolen Wallet

Holmdel Police have arrested an Old Bridge man for allegedly stealing a wallet out of an employee break room at Best Buy and buying $335 worth of gift cards with the victim's cards.

Eric Aul, 26, of 17A Matawan Road in Old Bridge was charged by Holmdel Police Saturday with two counts of fraudulent use of a credit card and one count of theft.

On Friday at 4:30 p.m., Holmdel Police Ptl. Andrew Kret responded to a call at  in Holmdel that an employee's wallet had been stolen from the break room that afternoon, and charges were already being rung up on her cards. TD Bank told the victim that her debit card had just been used at the neighboring supermarket at 4:26 p.m and again at 4:28 p.m.

According to video surveillance tapes reviewed by Ptl. Kret, Aul was captured purchasing Visa gift cards valued at $117.85. He was identified by Best Market personnel as one of their temporary employees. "That's how he was ID'd. [Best Market] knew who he was," said Holmdel Lt. Michael Smith.

According to bank records and surveillance tapes, police said Aul then purchased $216.69 worth of Visa and American Express gift cards using the victim's Capitol One credit card at Supermarket in Holmdel, across Route 35. The transaction was recorded at 5 p.m.

Police said surveillance tapes showed Aul entering the unlocked break room at Best Buy at 2:55 p.m. and exiting at 2:57 p.m.

Ptl. Kret and Old Bridge Police arrested Aul at 9:45 p.m. Saturday, at his home. He was transported to Holmdel Police station. Aul admitted to the March 2 events, said Lt. Smith. "He did give a statement, and cooperated," said Lt. Smith. Aul was released and has a date pending a date with municipal court.