WOODBRIDGE – Five New York men were charged in connection with a shoplifting incident, which resulted in the stabbing of a Macy’s loss prevention officer at the Woodbridge Center Mall, according to police.
The incident occurred at approximately 5:25 p.m. on May 26 at the Macy’s Department store. The loss prevention officer was stabbed twice in the arm as he intervened in a shoplifting incident, according to Scott Kuzma, chief law enforcement officer of the Woodbridge Township Police Department.
The suspects then fled the scene in a grey Honda Odyssey. Police located the Honda on Route 1 and after a brief pursuit, the occupants were arrested, Kuzma said.
A 19-year-old man from Brooklyn was charged with receiving stolen property.
A 59-year-old man from Cambridge Heights was charged with eluding, receiving stolen property, resisting arrest, conspiracy, robbery, forgery and possession of a controlled dangerous substance.
A 49-year-old man from Brooklyn was charged with receiving stolen property, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, resisting arrest, conspiracy and robbery.
A 46-year-old man from Brooklyn was charged with receiving stolen property, resisting arrest, contempt, conspiracy and robbery.
A 22-year-old man from Brooklyn was charged with receiving stolen property, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of weapons, aggravated assault with a weapon and resisting arrest.
The Macy’s loss prevention officer was treated at the scene by Woodbridge Township emergency medical services and transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick. His injuries were serious in nature, but were not considered to be life-threatening, Kuzma said.
