Alleged Rumson Buy Rite Robber Arrested

Rumson police have arrested a man in connection with the Halloween night strong-arm robbery at the Buy Rite liquor store on West River Road.

Curtis O'Brien, 24, formerly of the borough, whose last known address was Port St. Lucie, FL, was arrested on Nov. 12, after turning himself in to Rumson police, and charged with third-degree theft and second-degree robbery, Detective Chris Isherwood said.

Sgt. Ronald Vilardi had signed the complaint warrants against O'Brien. "He (O'Brien) found out he had warrants out for his arrest and came into headquarters last night (Tuesday)," Isherwood said.

O'Brien allegedly entered  the Buy Rite on Oct. 31 at about 8:30 p.m., went to the counter with a six-pack of beer and "reached over the counter, where there were two employees, pushed one of the employees' hands aside and forcibly took $814 in cash from the register," Isherwood said. "He then picked up the six-pack and walked out of the store. He fled on foot and we don't know where he's been since then."

O'Brien was transported from Rumson Police Headquarters to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution Tuesday night where he remains, Isherwood said. His bail was set at $85,000 with no 10 percent option by Superior Court Judge Leslie Ann Justus.