October 16, 2016
A man and a woman were arrested Sunday for allegedly attacking two convenience store clerks after a dispute over change in New Jersey, authorities said.
Shamil Hawkins, 22, of Brick, and Gianna Bozza, 18, of Jackson, were both charged with aggravated assault, endangering an injured victim and criminal mischief, the Brick Township Police Department announced.
The incident occurred Saturday around 11:30 a.m. inside the 7-Eleven located at 1151 Burnt Tavern Road in Brick Township, Ocean County.
Police said Hawkins and Bozza entered the store around 11 a.m. and made several purchases before leaving the premises.
About 30 minutes later, the pair returned and claimed the clerk owed them $20 for giving the wrong change in the earlier transaction. Bozza eventually started throwing items at the clerk as the argument continued. Hawkins went behind the counter and punched the clerk in the head, knocking him the ground. A second clerk tried to intervene but was also assaulted by both Hawkins and Bozza. The pair left the store and fled the area in a vehicle.
Police said the first clerk sustained a "severe head injury" after he hit his head on a safe while falling to the floor.
Investigators were able to trace the vehicle to Bozza after a witness reported the license plate of the vehicle. Warrants were eventually issued for both Bozza and Hawkins.
Police said the pair surrendered to police Sunday.
Bail was set at $50,000 for both Bozza and Hawkins.
