A Bottle King employee in Glen Rock, New Jersey, was injured on Halloween night after confronting a shoplifter who stole liquor worth $655. The incident occurred at approximately 7:27 p.m. on October 31st in the store’s parking lot on Prospect Street.
The 31-year-old Maywood resident, an employee at the Bottle King Glen Rock location, pursued the suspect after he fled the store with the stolen liquor. The employee tackled the suspect in the parking lot. During the ensuing struggle, a 2006 Toyota Camry struck the employee, allowing the shoplifter to escape.
Glen Rock Police responded to reports of a theft in progress and a pedestrian struck by a vehicle. Emergency medical personnel treated the injured Bottle King employee at the scene before transporting him to Hackensack University Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.
Police investigation, including review of surveillance footage, identified the driver of the Toyota Camry as a 37-year-old Wayne resident. Authorities believe she acted as an accomplice to the shoplifting. Officer Sarah Orsita arrested the woman and charged her with assault by auto and conspiracy to commit shoplifting. She was processed at Glen Rock Police Headquarters and then taken to the Bergen County jail to await a hearing at state Superior Court in Hackensack.
Glen Rock Police are actively searching for the shoplifting suspect who fled the scene. Detective Sergeant James Calaski, along with Glen Rock officers and Fair Lawn police, are leading the investigation. Anyone with information about this incident at the Bottle King Glen Rock store is urged to contact the Glen Rock Police Department at 201-652-3800.
