Toms River Man Suspected of Robbing Couple at Gunpoint

A Toms River 39-year-old awaits a hearing on charges that the robbed a township couple at gunpoint in their home Sunday night.

Mario J. Ortiz, of Waters Edge Drive, was charged with robbery, burglary and two weapons-possession counts in connection with the indicent on Bayway, say township police.

According to information from police, the victims, a 32-year-old man and 31-year-old woman, reported hearing loud knocking at the front door. Seconds after opening the door, said police, the intruder was in the house, brandishing a gun.

The victims handed over $60 and the suspect identified as Ortiz ran off, police said, while the woman gave chase on foot and the man followed him in a vehicle.

Police say Ortiz ditched a ski mask, gloves and clothes, hopping several backyard fences while the couple alerted neighbors and urged them to call police. Investigators say they found the gun in one yard and the magazine for it in another.

Minutes later, they tracked Ortiz to the Cosmic Surf Shop on Route 37 as investigators arrived, police said.

He was sent to the Ocean County Jail in Toms River with bail set at $150,000.