Paramus Suit Store Clerk Takes Down Would-Be Thief In Robbery

PARAMUS, NJ — A salesclerk at a Paramus clothing store is being credited with thwarting a robbery attempt this week after the employee tackled a gunman and prevented his escape while police officers were on their way.

Police said that a 29-year-old New Milford man walked into the Suit Store Outlet on Route 4 and walked up to the register and announced he was going to make a withdrawal, a Paramus police department spokesman told local media outlets.

The suspect, who has been identified as Kevin D. Howe, instructed a clerk to give him all of the money in the cash register. Howe was wearing a mask and gloves but did not indicate he had a gun at the time.

But after handing the masked suspect cash from the register, the cashier – who has not been identified – “performed a takedown move” on Howe and wrestled him to the ground. The clerk then put the suspect in an armlock and held him to the ground until police could arrive, NJ.com reported.

According to police, Howe said he had a gun and police later discovered the suspect had a .38 pistol in the pocket of his sweatshirt.

Howe was charged with first-degree robbery and several weapons charges, according to the report.