UPDATE: Howell Police Release Photos In Armed Robbery At Shoe Store

HOWELL, NJ — The Howell Township Police Department is seeking the public's help in identifying a man who robbed the Shoe Palace department store at gunpoint Monday night.

The man, described as a black male, about 6 feet tall, with a muscular build and wearing a black North Face sweatshirt and black flannel-style pants, entered the store about 6 p.m., Police Chief Andrew Kudrick Jr. said.

The store, located at 6951 Route 9 North, was occupied by store employees and customers, including children, Kudrick said.

The suspect brandished a black handgun and ordered the occupants of the store to the ground, then pointed the gun at the clerk behind the counter and demanded the money from the register, he said.

The store clerk complied and the suspect ran from the store and crossed Route 9 on foot, headed west toward Ford Road, Kudrick said.

Area surveillance footage shows the suspect walk to the store from the area of an adjacent commercial lot, Kudrick said. He was observed by the store employees walking back and forth multiple times before entering the store, he said.

Patrol officers responded, established an area perimeter with the assistance of a K9 unit, but were unable
to locate the suspect in the area, Kudrick said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Howell Township Police Department Detective Anthony Romano at 732-938-4575 ext. 2879 or by e-mail at aromano@howellpolice.org.

Howell Police photo