Employee Assaulted, Suspects Wanted In Union County Hardware Store Robbery

CLARK, NJ — Police are searching for two suspects accused of stealing power tools from an Ace Hardware store in Clark and assaulting an employee during the incident.

According to the Clark Police Department, officers responded to Ace Hardware on Westfield Avenue around 1:08 p.m. on May 26 after receiving a report of shoplifting.

Police said a man and woman entered the store, filled a shopping cart with power tools and left without paying. As they were leaving, an employee attempted to recover the merchandise and was assaulted by the female suspect, authorities said.

Investigators said the pair then fled the area in a black Jeep SUV with New Jersey license plates.

The suspects were later identified by police as Michael D. Ritz, 32, of Jackson, and Brielle M. Winston, 28, of Jackson.

Police said warrants have been issued charging Ritz with shoplifting. Winston faces charges including shoplifting, robbery and aggravated assault.

Anyone with information on the suspects’ whereabouts is asked to contact Detective Captain Christian Lott at 732-388-3434 or clott@clarkpolice.org.