ABSECON - An Egg Harbor City man was arrested shortly after committing a strong-arm robbery at the Absecon Rite Aid thanks to EMS workers with a strong sense of civic duty, police said Sunday.

Absecon EMS personnel spotted Ronell Ruiz, 33, at  4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9 while he walked east along the railroad tracks near the Absecon Veterinary Hospital at 195 S. New Road, They had just heard a description of a suspected robber aired over the local police radio frequency.

Soon Absecon police arrived and set up a perimeter.

Detective Sgt. Robert Ponzetti, Ptl. Christian Cavileer and Ptl. Richard Huenke Jr. discovered Ruiz in the woods behind the veterinary hospital.

Police arrested him and charged Ruiz with robbery, two counts of simple assault, possession of a syringe and possession of drug paraphernalia. He failed to post $50,000 cash bail and was jailed in the Gerard L. Gormley Justice Facility in Mays Landing.

Police said Ruiz was accused of attempting to leave the Rite Aid without paying for merchandize that he concealed in his pants.

Ruiz assaulted the assistant manager and another employee when they confronted him about the merchandise, police said.

Rite Aid employees watched as Ruiz crossed the White Horse Pike and headed east, police said. The employees lost sight of Ruiz as he approached the intersection of the White Horse Pike and Mill Road.