Howell ShopRite Express Lane Fight Ends In Punches, Bite, Arrests

HOWELL, NJ — If you're planning to go through the express lane at the grocery store, you might want to be sure you're within the item limit. Three women ended up with minor injuries and two wound up with arrests and summonses after a fight at the ShopRite in Howell, police said.

The fight, which was first described in the Howell Happenings NJ Facebook group, took place on Thursday, Howell police said Tuesday.

A 43-year-old Brick woman was standing in the checkout line at the ShopRite on Route 9 shortly before noon when a 45-year-old Howell woman took exception to the number of items she had in the express lane, Detective Sgt. Peter Kuppler said.

The two exchanged words, and then the fight broke out, witnesses said. The women were punching each other, biting, spitting and pulling hair, the witnesses said.

As the two fought, a 43-year-old Freehold Township woman tried to break it up, but she was scratched and bitten on the leg by the Brick woman, Kuppler said. The fight was broken up by ShopRite employees before police arrived.

All three women were treated for minor injuries at the scene by the Southard Fire Department and the Howell Township First Aid Squad, Kuppler said, and all three refused transport to the hospital.

The Brick woman was was charged with simple assault and disorderly conduct, and the Howell woman was charged with disorderly conduct. Both were released on complaint summonses pending a future court date in Howell Municipal Court.

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