‘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 1,915 days ago

Share:

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.


More from News 12
2:32
Summer Safety Initiative: Overnight youth curfew in effect for the city of Newark

Summer Safety Initiative: Overnight youth curfew in effect for the city of Newark

1:59
Mostly cloudy Saturday in New Jersey; widespread showers on Sunday

Mostly cloudy Saturday in New Jersey; widespread showers on Sunday

1:46
Officials: Man killed in house explosion in South River identified as retired Newark officer

Officials: Man killed in house explosion in South River identified as retired Newark officer

0:42
NJ lawmakers criticize how Rutgers officials negotiated with pro-Palestinian protesters

NJ lawmakers criticize how Rutgers officials negotiated with pro-Palestinian protesters

0:28
Special election to be held to fill late Rep. Donald Payne’s seat in Congress

Special election to be held to fill late Rep. Donald Payne’s seat in Congress

0:27
Prosecutor: 2 people seriously injured in 3-car crash; driver charged with drunk driving

Prosecutor: 2 people seriously injured in 3-car crash; driver charged with drunk driving

0:42
Jersey Proud: Army ROTC students from Rutgers, Seton Hall and Princeton train together

Jersey Proud: Army ROTC students from Rutgers, Seton Hall and Princeton train together

0:30
Police: New York man pointed knife at pro-Palestinian protester in Teaneck

Police: New York man pointed knife at pro-Palestinian protester in Teaneck

0:27
Officials: Paterson man threatened to ‘shoot up’ JFK Int’l Airport

Officials: Paterson man threatened to ‘shoot up’ JFK Int’l Airport

2:02
Authorities: Major fire displaces 20 people from 9 families in Elizabeth

Authorities: Major fire displaces 20 people from 9 families in Elizabeth

1:04
Hillsborough school officials vote to end middle school sports, make staff cuts amid budget cuts

Hillsborough school officials vote to end middle school sports, make staff cuts amid budget cuts

0:49
Bridgewater-Raritan School District waives fees to participate in clubs, sports

Bridgewater-Raritan School District waives fees to participate in clubs, sports

0:39
Officials: 3 pedestrians, including 2 children, struck by NYC-based news van in Elizabeth

Officials: 3 pedestrians, including 2 children, struck by NYC-based news van in Elizabeth

0:28
GoFundMe started for 6-month-old boy and his grandfather killed by fallen tree in Verona

GoFundMe started for 6-month-old boy and his grandfather killed by fallen tree in Verona

0:40
Main Street New Jersey: Restaurants, businesses to visit in Edgewater

Main Street New Jersey: Restaurants, businesses to visit in Edgewater

3:21
Bridge over section of I-95 in process of being demolished due to damage from truck fire

Bridge over section of I-95 in process of being demolished due to damage from truck fire

1:12
Several house fires break out Thursday in New Jersey; 1 man dead

Several house fires break out Thursday in New Jersey; 1 man dead

0:18
South Brunswick police searching for missing man last seen on Route 1

South Brunswick police searching for missing man last seen on Route 1

0:23
South Orange woman indicted for stealing over $1 million federal benefits intended for dead aunt

South Orange woman indicted for stealing over $1 million federal benefits intended for dead aunt

1:26
Look up! Annual Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks early Sunday morning

Look up! Annual Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks early Sunday morning