Beachwood Man Arrested in TV Bandit Case in Point Pleasant Beach

A Beachwood man has been arrested on charges of burglary and theft for from a restaurant under construction at 709 Arnold Ave., Point Pleasant Beach, police said on Friday morning.

Robert J. Berlinski III, 25, of Beachwood, was arrested at 3:30 p.m. Thursday at his home without incident, police said.

Berlinski had been identified as one of the two subjects captured on the surveillance cameras posted at the entrance to the restaurant, said Detective Patrick Petruzziello.

Berlinski is the registered owner of the white Toyota Tacoma parked outside the restaurant and photographed by the surveillance camera, he said.

"Subsequent to his arrest a search warrant was executed," said Petruzziello in a prepared statement. "At this time no additional information will be released as to any evidence recovered or specifics as to how Berlinski was identified. The investigation remains open and active."

Berlinski was charged by Detective Clint Daniel with one count each of third-degree burglary and theft. 

Bail was set at $10,000, with no 10 percent option by Judge James Liguori, and Berlinski was remanded to the Ocean County Jail.

Anyone with information is urged to call Daniel at 732-892-0500 ext. 160.

At about 8 a.m. Monday, police Officer Paschal Drew responded to a call at the restaurant where the victim reported that eight Hitachi, ultra-vision, 55-inch plasma TVs had been stolen, Petruzziello said.

The suspects entered the building through a locked, side alleyway door and loaded them into a vehicle believed to be a 2008 or 2009 Toyota Tacoma.

Petruzziello said police are not disclosing details about how entry was made.

A shorter suspect was wearing a sweatshirt that had the words “Performance Engines” on the back, Petruzziello had said on Monday. On Friday, he said Berlinski is allegedly the shorter suspect.

He added that the surveillance photos released by police are screen shots of video surveillance shot at the scene, police said.

The Point Pleasant Beach Chamber of Commerce website says the restaurant is scheduled to open in May.