Strong Arm Robbery – On Friday, June 26, 2015, at 8:48 p.m., Officer Charles May responded to the Walmart for a report of a shoplifting incident involving an assault. It was reported that a Walmart Loss Prevention employee observed a white male, approximately 6′ 1″ tall, 200 pounds, with brown hair shoplifting merchandise. The employee reportedly approached the suspect as the suspect exited the store. The suspect then reportedly punched the loss prevention employee in the face and fled on foot. The male suspect was last observed running across Route 9 into the wooded area adjacent to the Spring Oak Assisted Living prior to police being notified. Officers responded to the area and conducted a search of the wooded area. The Ocean County Sheriff’s Department responded with a K-9 and conducted a search as well with negative results. Prior to committing the physical assault, the suspect was believed to be in the process of shoplifting a $6.00 item. The suspect depicted in the photo (from store surveillance) has not been identified as of the time of this posting. Due to the assault to facilitate his fleeing from the theft, this matter is being investigated as a robbery. Anyone with information regarding the identity of the subject is asked to call the Lacey Township Police Department at 609.693.6636 or submit an anonymous crime tip through the department website at www.LaceyPD.org/crime-tips/.