Lacey Police Report Strong-Arm Robbery In Walmart

Lacey police are looking for a man who punched a loss prevention officer in the face in Walmart Friday evening, then fled on foot into the woods next to the Spring Oak Assisted Living facility, Police Chief David A. Paprota said.

On Friday, June 26, 2015, at 8:48 p.m., Officer Charles May responded to the store at 8:48 p.m. on June 26 a report of a shoplifting incident involving an assault. A Walmart loss prevention employee observed a white male, approximately 6’ 1” tall, 200 pounds, with brown hair shoplifting merchandise, the chief said.

The employee reportedly approached the man as the suspect exited the store. The suspect then reportedly punched the loss prevention employee in the face and fled on foot. The suspect was last seen running across Route 9 into the wooded area adjacent to the Spring Oak Assisted Living, before police were notified, Paprota said.

Lacey officers and the Ocean County Sheriff‘s Department K-9 unit searched the area without success. The suspect was believed to be shoplifting a $6 item before the assault. The suspect depicted in the photo from store surveillance has not yet been identified as of early Saturday morning, the chief said.

The matter is being investigated as a robbery due to the assault. Anyone with information regarding the man‘s identity is asked to call the Lacey Township Police Department at 609-693-6636 or submit an anonymous crime tip through the department website at www.LaceyPD.org/crime-tips/.