Montclair Tobacco Shop Employee Stabbed During Robbery: Police

MONTCLAIR, NJ — A worker at a tobacco shop in Montclair was stabbed during a robbery earlier this week, police said Tuesday.

According to the Montclair Police Department, officers responded to Al Bazaar Tobacco Shop on Bloomfield Avenue at 12:43 p.m. on June 11 after getting a report about a robbery.

The officers arrived at the scene to find an employee of the tobacco shop bleeding from the chest. The victim was transported by Montclair EMS to Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Paterson. He was treated and released later that day, police said.

The victim told officers that a young man entered his store asking about specific merchandise. The customer asked to see some THC vape cartridges that were in a case. When told that he needed to pay for the items in advance, the suspect became angry and a verbal fight broke out.

Here’s what happened next, police said:

“The suspect reached his arm over the counter into the glass case and grabbed several vape cartridges. The victim attempted to stop the suspect and a physical altercation ensued. The suspect pushed the victim against the door, brandished a large knife, and stabbed him in the chest. The suspect then fled the scene.”

Witnesses provided the suspect’s description to officers and told them where he was headed. Police eventually found the suspect and apprehended him, finding him in possession of the stolen items, authorities said.

The weapon allegedly used in the robbery was recovered in a nearby alleyway, police said.

The suspect – an 18-year-old Newark resident – was charged with armed robbery, aggravated assault, possession of a weapon and shoplifting. He was remanded to the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark, police said.

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