Police: Man stole $100 in tips from N.J. Middle Eastern restaurant

Suspect seen on surveillance video after theft from tip jar at Royal Grill on Nov. 20, 2016.
Source/Toms River Police Department

A Toms River man turned himself in Tuesday morning in connection to the recent theft of $100 from a tip jar at a local Middle Eastern restaurant.

According to police, the manager of the Royal Grill restaurant on Route 37 West reported the theft on the night of Nov. 20. The responding officer was told that a man had entered the store for a brief period of time and then left without placing an order. Surveillance video captured an image of the suspect before he fled in an unmarked U-Haul truck.

Two days later, investigators received complaints that traced back to 23-year-old Nicholas Mayer, a resident of Toms River.

A warrant was issued for Mayer's arrest and he subsequently surrendered himself at police headquarters on Nov. 29.

Mayer was processed and released on bail pending a future appearance in court.