A man and woman attacked two clerks inside a New Jersey 7-Eleven after accusing one of the workers of short changing them, according to investigators.
Police say Shamil Hawkins, 22, of Brick Township, New Jersey and Gianna Bozza, 18, of Jackson Township, New Jersey entered the 7-Eleven on Burnt Tavern Road in Brick Saturday shortly after 11 a.m., purchased several items and then left.
Hawkins and Bozza then re-entered the store about a half hour later and accused a clerk of short changing them 20 dollars during their earlier transaction, police said. After the duo began arguing with the clerk, Bozza allegedly started to throw items on the counter at him. Police say Hawkins then walked around the counter and punched the clerk, knocking him to the ground and causing him to strike his head on the corner of a floor safe.
A second clerk then came to the first clerk’s aid and was assaulted by Hawkins and Bozza as well, according to investigators. Hawkins and Bozza then allegedly knocked items to the floor and left the store, fleeing the area in a white SUV.
Police say a patron inside the store obtained the license plate of the SUV helping them identify the suspects. The SUV was later stopped by the Point Pleasant Police Department and impounded for an expired registration, officials said.
Arrest warrants were then issued for Hawkins and Bozza and the two suspects arrived at Brick Police headquarters Sunday where they were then taken into custody. They are both charged with aggravated assault, endangering an injured victim and criminal mischief.
Police say both clerks are expected to recover from their injuries.
