BY CHRISTINE VARNO
Staff Writer

LONG BRANCH — A Red Bank man was arrested last week for allegedly assaulting a Long Branch resident and stealing a gold chain from around the victim’s neck.

Diego Gomez was arrested on June 20 at approximately 7 p.m. and charged with robbery, resisting arrest and hindering his own apprehension, according to police reports.

Two city officers responded to the rear yard of a Union Avenue residence after a report of a fight was received by the police department, Detective Lt. Bruce Johantgen said.

The victim, who resides on South Fifth Avenue, told police that someone with an unknown subject struck him in the face and stole the gold necklace he was wearing.

Gomez, along with four other subjects, were detained at the corner of Belmont and Second avenues, and the victim was transported to the location and positively identified Gomez, according to police reports.

“As that ID was made, the accused fled south on Second Avenue,” Johantgen said.

Gomez was apprehended and the victim’s chain was located on the ground in the area of the arrest, according to reports.

The accused allegedly gave police officers a false name, but a check through the Automated Fingerprint System revealed his true identity and he was additionally found to be wanted by the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office on a $10,000 warrant, according to police.

Gomez was transported the Monmouth County Correctional Center in Freehold, where bail was set at $40,000 with no 10 percent option.