HOWELL, NJ — Howell Township police are seeking the public’s help in identifying a woman in connection with a bias harassment incident against an Orthodox Jewish teenager earlier this month.
The woman is described as a white female in her mid-20s to early 30s, with long dark hair, Howell Detective Sgt. Christian Antunez said.
The incident happened Sept. 5 about 10 p.m. at the Walmart on Route 9 in Howell, Antunez said. The teen told police he was standing in front of Walmart with friends when the woman walked into Walmart with a male companion, Antunez said.
As the woman entered the store, she turned toward the teen and “confronted him aggressively without provocation,” Antunez said.
The male who was with the woman unsuccessfully attempted to restrain her, he said.
The teen told police the woman then asked if he was from Lakewood, and said, “Go back to Lakewood you [expletive] Hasidic Jews,” Antunez said.
The teen said the woman then pushed him and went into the store, and then left a few minutes later and was gone before police arrived, Antunez said.
The woman left the Walmart in a what appears to be a newer model white 4-door Kia Optima, he said.
Anyone with information regarding the suspect is asked to contact Detective Corporal Nancy Carroll by email at ncarroll@howellpolice.org or by calling 732-938-4575, Ext. 2894.
