A Toms River man remains behind bars, accused of stealing thousands of dollars worth of materials, being used to restore a Sandy-ravaged home.

Eric Scharff
Eric Scharff (Toms River Police)
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Eric Scarff, 22,  was stopped in Ortley Beach Tuesday by police who were on a "proactive anti-looting patrol" as he walked along a street just after midnight according to the Asbury Park Press.

Police found his pickup truck loaded with metal ladders, copper pipe coils and other items -- all reported stolen out of a garage in the Silver Beach section. Bail is set at $30,000.

Toms River Police Chief Mike Mastronardy tells the Press the patrol "was formed to reduce the opportunity for people to enter vacant homes and steal things, particularly copper.  Our plan is to reduce the victimization of our neighbors who have already been victimized by superstorm Sandy."

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