TOMS RIVER, NJ – Toms River Police have arrested a scam artist, but others lurk in the community and residents should always beware.
According to police, on Thursday, Toms River Police Detective Robert O’Neill arrested and charged Robert Cohan, 35 of Lakehurst, with 2nd Degree Theft by Deception, as well as multiple counts of unregistered home improvement contracting.
“Beginning in February, and continuing thru May, Mr. Cohan targeted the residents of the Gardens of Pleasant Plains in a home improvement contracting scheme,” Detective O’Neill reported. “He was soliciting the residents to do driveway, sidewalk, as well as roof, door and other home repairs, collecting more than $150,000 to date from his victims. Mr. Cohan would collect an initial deposit, then return later and solicit more money but never performed any of the promised work. He was fraudulently using the name of his family’s construction company name in the scheme.”
Criminal charges for 2nd Degree Theft by Deception were approved by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office. Mr. Cohan was remanded to the Ocean County Jail where he remains pending a detention hearing. Additional charges are pending.