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Woman Threatened Store Employees With Box Cutter In Union County, Police Say

Two elderly employees were injured during a May 13 confrontation at a Linden store, authorities said.

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LINDEN, NJ — A Newark woman is facing multiple charges after police said she threatened store employees with a box cutter during a violent confrontation at a Linden business on May 13.

The incident happened around 7 p.m. at a store on North Wood Avenue, according to Linden police.

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Authorities said 31-year-old Clarissa Pegram attempted to leave the store with unpaid merchandise following a dispute with employees.

Police said the employees tried to get back inside the store, but Pegram followed them and threatened to kill them while swinging a box cutter. One employee suffered a cut during the confrontation.

Before that, a 70-year-old employee had followed Pegram outside and recovered the merchandise, according to police. Authorities said Pegram then threw the employee to the ground and kicked her.

A 75-year-old employee who intervened was punched multiple times until he fell to the ground, police said.

Officials said all injuries were considered minor and those involved were treated at the scene.

Pegram was charged with robbery, aggravated assault, terroristic threats, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and related weapons offenses. She was taken to the Essex County Jail pending a court appearance.

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