Man Punches Walmart Guard In Face During Shoplifting Attempt: Police

Lacey Township Police are seeking a man they say punched a Walmart security guard in the face Friday night after being confronted about shoplifting $6 worth of merchandise.

Police say the man, described as a white male, 6’1” tall and 200 pounds with brown hair, fled on foot after striking the loss prevention officer at the Walmart in Lanoka Harbor. He was last seen running across Route 9 into a wooded area near Spring Oak Assisted Living.

The Ocean County Sheriff’s Department responded with a K-9 unit to search for the suspect, who is still at large.

“Due to the assault to facilitate his fleeing from the theft, this matter is being investigated as a robbery,” Lacey Township Police said.

Anyone with information regarding the identity of the subject is asked to call the Lacey Township Police Department at 609.693.6636 or submit an anonymous crime tip at www.LaceyPD.org/crime-tips/.