MANALAPAN — Police are searching for a woman who struck a supermarket security guard and fled the scene of the incident.
Manalapan police said that at 2:50 p.m. April 18, a woman was observed by Wegmans security personnel shoplifting items valued at $71 and leaving the store in the Epicentre shopping center, Route 9.
The woman was confronted by a security guard in the parking lot, left the items behind and entered a vehicle. The security guard stood in front of the vehicle in an attempt to stop the woman from leaving the scene, according to police.
The suspect accelerated the vehicle, struck the security guard and carried him several hundred feet before he fell to the pavement, sustaining what police described as minor injuries.
The vehicle fled the area. The incident was captured on surveillance video. The suspect is described as a black female in her mid-30s, with a medium build. She was driving a light blue Toyota Sienna with a Pennsylvania license plate.
Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to call 732-446-4300. Manalapan Patrolman Kevin McIntosh is investigating the incident.
In other incidents reported by police:
On April 6 at 11 a.m., Patrolman John Lightbody responded to Woodward Road for a report of the theft of tools. A business owner reported that a Makita cut-off saw valued at $1,000, a Stihl Farm Boss chainsaw valued at $500 and a Ridgid 18-volt cordless drill and impact driver valued at $200 had been stolen from him within the last month.
On April 7 at 6 p.m., Manalapan police officers arrested James Kushall, 28, of Jackson, and charged him with receiving stolen property related to jewelry that was reported missing from a home in Manalapan.
Kushall was located at his home in Jackson with the assistance of the Jackson Police Department. Kushall was placed in the Monmouth County jail, Freehold Township.
Police said Kushall had outstanding warrants from Manalapan ($1,000), Jackson ($200), Howell ($500) and Millstone Township ($195). Detective Jared Aronson handled the investigation.
On April 18 at 7:15 a.m., Patrolman Brian Schank responded to the Battleground Country Club, Millhurst Road, for a report of vandalism to the golf course. An unknown individual caused approximately $600 worth of damage to a putting green. The damage was caused by tire tracks tearing up the grass.