PARAMUS, N.J. – A suspected shoplifting at a Dollar Tree in Paramus escalated into a robbery Wednesday afternoon after two suspects assaulted a store manager while attempting to escape with stolen merchandise, according to police.
Officers responded at approximately 4:30 p.m. to the Dollar Tree at 275 Route 4 West in the Shoppes at IV shopping center, where employees reported that two suspects had fled on foot after a confrontation inside the store.
Suspects arrested after brief search
Witnesses described the suspects as a white man wearing a gray shirt and black pants and a white woman wearing a gray hat, black tank top, and black shorts. Police said they were seen running east toward a nearby Rolls-Royce dealership.
Officer Jason Hrbek later located the pair near Rutgers Place and Oxford Terrace in River Edge, where they were taken into custody without incident. Authorities identified them as Sonya Schoenbrunn, 43, of Closter, and Alan Edelstein, 60, of Hackensack.
Manager injured while stopping theft
Investigators said the store manager confronted the pair after they allegedly attempted to steal about $60 worth of health and beauty products.
According to police, the suspects grabbed the manager’s hair, bent her fingers, and pulled her arm to force their way past her. Officers reported the manager appeared disheveled and had suffered a laceration to her left bicep.
Both Schoenbrunn and Edelstein were charged with second-degree robbery. Schoenbrunn was lodged in the Bergen County Jail pending her first court appearance, while Edelstein was released on his own recognizance.
Why it matters
In New Jersey, a shoplifting incident can result in a robbery charge when force is allegedly used against another person during the theft or while fleeing the scene.
About this investigation
The charges are based on allegations filed by the Paramus Police Department. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
