Police say Asante Moorer participated in an attack and robbery on a Toms River man Watch video
TOMS RIVER -- A Toms River North High School football player has been arrested and another man is being sought in connection with the beating and robbery of a township resident.
Toms River police arrested Asante Moorer, 18, and two juveniles who, authorities say, beat and robbed a man outside the Winteringham Village residential complex on June 1.
A fourth suspect, Jorge Ratliff, 24, who has ties to Toms River and New Brunswick, remains at large after the attack and robbery, said Ralph Stocco, spokesman for the Toms River Police Department.
Stocco said the victim, a 23-year-old township resident, was near the basketball courts at Winteringham Village at 4 p.m. when he was attacked. The suspects, Stocco said, grabbed the man from behind and repeatedly punched him in the face. After losing consciousness for a short time, the victim woke to find the suspects rifling through his pants pockets and his backpack. They stole his wallet and cell phone, Stocco said.
Moorer is accused of taking from the juveniles the money they stole from the victim, Stocco said.
Moorer, a Toms River North High School football standout helped the team earn its sixth sectional title in December.
Police officers found three of the suspects, including Moorer, a short time later and arrested them at the Hampton Garden Apartments nearby on James Street, Stocco said. Two of them, 17 years old, were charged with second-degree robbery. One of the juveniles was also charged with possession of marijuana, Stocco said.
The juveniles were charged and released to their parents and Moorer, who was charged with receiving stolen property, was released on bail. Ratliff is charged with robbery and his bail has been set in advance at $60,000, authorities said.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Ratliff is urged to call Toms River police at 732-349-0150.
MaryAnn Spoto may be reached at mspoto@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @MaryAnnSpoto. Find NJ.com on Facebook.