‘No one came to help us’ – Customers attacked inside NJ Walmart

A Bronx woman is facing charges after she allegedly went on a rampage and attacked several people inside of a Walmart in Hudson County.

News 12 Staff

Feb 4, 2019, 11:12 PM

Updated 1,900 days ago

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A Bronx woman is facing charges after she allegedly went on a rampage and attacked several people inside of a Walmart in Hudson County.
The attack happened Sunday afternoon inside the Walmart on 88th Street in North Bergen.
Carolyn Cuellar tells News 12 New Jersey that she and her mother Maria were shopping at the store Sunday after just having lunch. She says that she was at the customer service desk when she was assaulted by another woman in what appears to be a random attack.
“I felt my head hit the wall and all I remember feeling was panic, like ‘She’s trying to kill me,’” Cuellar says.
North Bergen police say that 39-year old Imani Jones was at the Walmart trying to return some clothing. But her request was refused. That's when police say that she pushed the register on to an employee and pepper-sprayed three employees, Cuellar, her mother and another customer.
Carolyn Cuellar suffered a concussion when Jones allegedly grabbed her and slammed her head against the wall inside the Walmart.
"I couldn't move. She just pinned me after she kept hitting my head. And I felt her hand and just like [claw at my face,]” Cuellar says.
Cuellar’s mother Maria says that she tried to pull Jones off of her daughter, while also yelling for security to come help. But she said that no one came.
"I was powerless and helpless,” says Maria. "No one came to help us. Not even Walmart people."
Police say that Jones eventually left the customer service area and went to another part of the store and held a man at knifepoint.
Jones was finally subdued after being pepper-sprayed herself. It apparently took four officers to take her down, according to officials.
Cuellar says that she was traumatized, but thankful that her mother was with her and not her two children.
"Had my mother not been there to hold her hands maybe she would have had time to take out that knife,” says Cuellar.
Jones was charged with aggravated assault, resisting arrest, making terroristic threats and possession of a weapon.
News 12 New Jersey reached out to Walmart for comment on the incident and store security, but calls were not returned.


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