Wyckoff Police: Shoplifters Charged With Robbery After Violent Confrontation

Wyckoff Police responded to a report of a fight outside of a store on July 19 after a couple shoplifted from the Stop & Shop in the Boulder Run Shopping Center and became violent after they were confronted by the store manager and security personnel.

Kearny couple Robert S. Paulter the 3rd, 30, and Jennifer Y. Chen, 28, both of Linden Avenue, were arrested and charged with robbery after Sergeant Daniel Kellogg, Officer Peter Goodman, and Officer Ryan Noon responded to the call.

The investigation disclosed that Paulter had been in the store and fled after allegedly shoplifting $700 worth of razor blades.

After the store manager and security personnel confronted the couple outside, Chen is alleged to have knocked the manager to the ground and Paulter then grabbed him and dragged him across the sidewalk.

The manager reported sustaining injuries to his head and legs. Paulter remained uncooperative with the officers, forcing them to handcuff him.

Police state that the original shoplifting offense becomes a robbery when there is a personal confrontation between the offenders and the store employees. Paulter was charged with robbery and inflicting injury, a second degree crime, and Chen was charged with robbery and inflicting injury, as well as possession of heroin.

Paulter was committed to the Bergen County Jail with $50,000 bail and Chen was committed with $35,000 bail.