Lyndhurst dispatchers received a call for an alleged attempted robbery on Monday, Feb. 4 at 2:32 p.m.
Patrol units were sent to J&J Liquors at 39 Ridge Road because of an activated panic alarm. While in route to the scene, the owner of the store called Lyndhurst headquarters at 367 Valley Brook Ave. on and told dispatchers that a man attempted to rob the store with a gun and already fled the scene.
When the police arrival, the woman owner of the store said a man approached the counter and began to fumble around with a plastic bag. When she asked if she could help him, he pulled the weapon partially out of a bag to show it to her, saying, “I’m holding you up”.
The owner then activated the silent panic alarm. Upon seeing her do this, the alleged suspect fled the store on foot, west on Sixth Avenue, according to police reports.
No one was hurt, no money was lost and there was none in the store at the time, besides the owner.
A witness who was on Sixth Ave at the time did see the alleged suspect running down the street but did not think anything of it, and did not call police headquarters.
The alleged suspect is described as being an older white male, 50 to 60 years old, approximately 5 feet, 10 inches tall, weighing 250 pounds. He was wearing brown sunglasses with dark lenses, a black-hooded sweatshirt with light gray or white sleeves.
A surveillance video recorded the event. Lyndhurst police are in the process of the video downloaded. Above is a captured photo of the alleged robber. The case is still under investigation. Anyone with information regarding the attempted robbery called Det. Capt. John Valente at 201-939-2900, ext. 271.
