By: Richard L. Smith
On Wednesday, November 1, Jersey City Police responded to a robbery incident that unfolded inside Newport Mall, leaving shoppers and employees shaken by the unexpected turn of events.
The swift action of vigilant store staff and the responding officers prevented a potentially dangerous situation from escalating further.
According to Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione, the spokeswoman for the Jersey City, the incident occurred around 12:12 p.m. when officers were dispatched to 30 Mall Drive East in response to a reported shoplifting incident.
Spokeswoman Wallace-Scalvione said the store manager noticed a 26-year-old male, later identified as Mr. Alejandro Rodriguez, attempting to shoplift items from the store.
Reacting swiftly, the manager alerted store loss prevention personnel and attempted to apprehend Rodriguez before he could escape.
The courageous manager's quick thinking and determination would soon prove instrumental in preventing a potentially dangerous situation.
During the course of the apprehension, the complainant and loss prevention personnel managed to subdue the shoplifter, ultimately tackling him to the ground.
It was during this physical confrontation that the discovery of a kitchen knife inside Rodriguez's pocket was made.
Spokeswoman Wallace-Scalvione said the knife tore through Rodriguez's pants, resulting in a grievous injury to the complainant in the groin area, causing a significant laceration.
Emergency medical services swiftly arrived at the scene, providing immediate assistance to the injured complainant.
The victim was subsequently transported to a local hospital, where medical professionals deemed his injuries as non-life-threatening.
Spokeswoman Wallace-Scalvione said Alejandro Rodriguez was placed under arrest, and he now faces serious charges, including robbery and unlawful possession of a weapon.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the unexpected dangers that can arise in public spaces and highlights the importance of diligence and swift action in ensuring the safety of all mall patrons.
Jersey City Police are continuing their investigation into this robbery incident at Newport Mall, striving to piece together all the details surrounding the incident.