Jackson Residents Stole Power Tools, Punched Employee At Clark Hardware Store: Police

CLARK, NJ - Clark police have issued arrest warrants for two Jackson residents following a Tuesday incident at Ace Hardware, 26 Westfield Ave., in which suspects stole power tools and a female store employee was punched in the face and throat.

Officers responded around 1:08 p.m. on a shoplifting report. According to police, a man and a woman entered the store, filled a shopping cart with power tools, approached the checkout counter and had the merchandise rung up — then left the store without paying. A female employee who followed the suspects into the parking lot was punched in the face and throat by the woman, sustaining minor injuries. Both suspects fled in a black Jeep SUV with New Jersey plates toward Rahway, police said.

A follow-up investigation by the Clark Police Detective Bureau led to the identification of both suspects within hours.

Michael D. Ritz, 32, of Jackson, was charged with one count of shoplifting, a third-degree crime. Brielle M. Winston, 28, of Jackson, was charged with shoplifting (fourth degree), robbery (third degree) and aggravated assault (third degree).

Anyone with information on the suspects' whereabouts is asked to contact Det. Capt. Christian Lott at (732) 388-3434 or clott@clarkpolice.org.

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