Woman Elbows Belleville Dollar Tree Worker Trying To Steal Soap, Socks: Cops

BELLEVILLE, NJ — Belleville police arrested an East Orange woman after she allegedly elbowed a Dollar Tree worker in the face during an attempt to steal 31 pairs of socks and seven bars of soap, authorities say.

According to the Belleville Police Department, the incident took place around 8:44 p.m. on Aug. 4 at the Dollar Tree on Washington Avenue when store personnel allegedly saw a woman conceal the socks and soap and try to leave the building.

When the store employees held the door shut to keep her inside until police arrived, the woman allegedly struck a female worker in the arm and face with her elbow, authorities said.

Police arrived on the scene and took the woman, Hafeeza Batemon, 41, into custody.

The store employee declined medical aid, police stated.

Batemon had two outstanding warrants from Bloomfield and Kearny totaled at $750 at the time of the incident, police said.

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