By: Richard L. Smith
A smash-and-grab robbery inside The Shops at Riverside triggered a major police response Tuesday after the sound of shattering glass was mistaken for gunfire, sending shoppers and employees scrambling amid concerns about a possible shooting.
According to Hackensack Police, officers responded to the Bergen County shopping center on September 22 after multiple 911 callers reported hearing what they believed were gunshots inside the mall.
When officers arrived, investigators determined that no shots had been fired. Instead, police said a suspect entered Bloomingdale’s, smashed a jewelry display case and stole several items before fleeing the scene.
The sound of the glass breaking apparently led shoppers to believe gunfire had erupted.
The initial reports prompted a significant law enforcement response that included Hackensack Police, the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department, Regional SWAT and officers from surrounding agencies.
Bloomingdale’s was locked down for nearly an hour as authorities investigated, although police said the entire mall was not evacuated or closed.
No injuries were reported, and authorities later determined there was no continuing threat to the public. Normal operations resumed shortly afterward.
The suspect remained at large following the incident, and Hackensack detectives are continuing the investigation.
Anyone with information that could assist investigators is asked to contact Hackensack Police at 201-646-7777.