BERKELEY, NJ – It was a broad daylight robbery of an innocent Christmas tree at a Holiday City bagel shop this week. A local bagel shop owner is now asking the community for help identifying a man accused of stealing Christmas ornaments, baked goods, and other items from Broadway Giant Bagels on Mule Road.
The incident took place inside the store in front of customers, according to the owner.
The owner says the suspect used a credit card that may have been stolen.
A holiday theft that hit close to home
Broadway Giant Bagels, which opened last year, had just put up a Christmas tree decorated with ornaments donated by employees and their families. The owner says the man took several of those ornaments, describing them as keepsakes passed down from staff members’ homes to the new business.
He also allegedly took cookies, cakes, muffins, and loaves of bread before leaving the store. The owner called the act “a low-life move” and shared surveillance footage with police.
Police notified, community alerted
The incident was reported to Berkeley Township Police, and the owner says he provided all available information, including the suspect’s transaction details and surveillance images.
The store is asking nearby residents, particularly those in the Holiday City area, to be alert and to contact authorities if they recognize the individual involved.
Police have not yet released any identifying information about the suspect as the investigation continues.
Residents urged to share information
Anyone with information is asked to contact Berkeley Township Police at (732) 341-1132. The business phone number is also listed as (732) 942-0140 for those wishing to reach out directly.
The owner says he hopes community members will come together to help locate the suspect and recover the stolen ornaments.
