By: Richard L. Smith
Police in Linden arrested a woman accused of assaulting two elderly store employees and threatening them with a box cutter during a violent shoplifting incident Wednesday evening.
Authorities said officers responded shortly before 7 p.m. on May 13 to a business in the 200 block of North Wood Avenue following reports of a fight.
According to preliminary information, Clarissa Pegram, 31, allegedly attempted to leave the store with unpaid merchandise after becoming involved in a dispute with employees.
Investigators said a 70-year-old female employee followed Pegram outside and managed to recover the merchandise before Pegram allegedly threw the woman to the ground and kicked her.
A 75-year-old male employee then attempted to intervene but was reportedly punched several times until he fell to the ground.
Police said the employees tried to retreat back inside the store, but Pegram allegedly forced her way into the business while threatening to kill them.
Authorities allege she swung a box cutter during the confrontation, cutting one of the employees.
All parties involved suffered minor injuries and were treated at the scene.
Pegram has been charged with second-degree robbery, third-degree aggravated assault, terroristic threats, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and related weapons offenses.
She was remanded to the Essex County Jail pending a Superior Court appearance.