2 Mall Employees Attacked As They Try To Stop Robbery In Bergen County

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — Two mall employees were attacked at a mall in Paramus last week when they tried to stop a robbery being committed by three men, police said.

Omar A. Ricketts, 33, of the Bronx, was charged with three counts of robbery and fourth-degree theft by unlawful taking, said the Paramus police on Wednesday.

Police said that last Thursday, just before 6 p.m., Paramus police officers responded to a reported strong-arm robbery at Champs Sports, located in the Westfield Garden State Plaza Mall.

Store employees told police that three men entered the store.

According to police, one man concealed two Nike Tech Fleece jackets and attempted to leave without paying.

When a store manager asked him to return the items, the man — later identified as Ricketts — allegedly "pushed her multiple times, including on her shoulders and face, in an effort to flee," police were told.

A second employee chased Ricketts as he fled the store, police said.

"During the chase, Ricketts reportedly stopped and slapped the pursuing employee in the face, causing minor injury," police said.

Ricketts then intentionally pushed an elderly female shopper to the ground, resulting in injury, police said.

All three suspects made it to the parking lot, entered a silver Chevrolet sedan and a black Honda Accord, and left the area, police said.

Through video analysis and investigative efforts, Detective Brian Doughty identified Omar A. Ricketts as the primary suspect, police said.

He was taken to the Bergen County Jail to await a court date, police said.