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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013
It could have been so much worse . . . By Karen Zautyk Observer Correspondent
attached, set off the security alarms. The store “greeter” tried to stop the man at the KEARNY – door, but he kept going, police said. simple afternoon erThe Kearny officer interrand at Walmart on ceded, blocked the guy’s Friday, Sept. 6, by path and asked for a receipt. an off-duty Kearny police According to the police officer ended in what Chief report, the man became defiJohn Dowie described as a ant and asked, life-and-death struggle be“Who are you?” tween the cop and a fleeing The officer identified himrobbery suspect. self as law enforcement and Luckily, the officer managed to subdue his 6-foot -1, again asked for the receipt. To which the suspected 250-lb. assailant -- who poshoplifter reportedly replied, lice said has an adult arrest “Man, you got me. You can record dating to 1987. have it back. We good?” The drama started at 2 The officer’s obvious anp.m. as the cop -- off-duty swer was “No,” since that’s and not in uniform -- was not how suspected thefts are entering the store and handled. Police said the indiobserved another customer vidual became more aggresleaving with a large flatsive, resisted the officer’s screen TV in a shopping effort to take hold of him cart. The TV, apparently with its anti-theft device still and then took off running
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lice said. The struggle continued through the Walmart lot and into the adjacent Wawa gas station, which is where it nearly turned lethal for the officer. When the cop once more attempted to stop the runner, police said, the suspect tried to grab the officer’s gun and a fight for control of the weapon ensued. “It became a life-anddeath struggle,” Dowie said. “As [the officer] fought for his gun, he was fighting for KPD photo his life.” Shawn Campbell Despite his assailant’s into the Walmart parking lot, efforts, the officer was able with the officer in pursuit. to retain control of the gun Twice, the officer managed and then bring the hulking to grab hold of the suspect, suspect to the ground. but each time he broke away, While the pursuit was on, first by ripping off his shirt KPD headquarters had been and then his undershirt and receiving calls, and back-up fighting off his pursuer, pounits had been sent to the scene. The first to arrive
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was Officer Jack Corbett, who assisted his fellow officer in taking the suspect into custody. Arrested on charges of robbery, aggravated assault on a police officer, resisting arrest, and attempting to disarm a law enforcement officer was 46-year-old Shawn Lauren Campbell of Jersey City, who reportedly also had two outstanding warrants from Jersey City. Campbell was remanded to the Hudson County Jail in lieu of $20,000 bail, with no 10% option. According to police, Campbell had been convicted of robbery in Essex County and his rap sheet includes arrests for cocaine, assault, terroristic threats, child endangerment, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a handgun, and aggravated sexual assault.
EYE MART HAS CLOSED ITS KEARNY LOCATION.
ALL RECORDS HAVE BEEN TRANSFERRED TO DR. STEVEN SCHIFF WHO WILL CONTINUE TO SERVICE ALL PATIENTS AT 90 PASSAIC AVE., KEARNY, NJ TEL. 732-778-1529.
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For a FREE Phone Consultation, Call Today at: 201.991.0067 432 Ridge Road, North Arlington NJ • www.RipostaLaw.com
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