A series of armed robberies that gripped several municipalities in Essex County now has Maplewood Police on the search for suspects.
According to a statement released by Chief Jimmy DeVaul, at approximately 9:26 pm, armed men targeted The Panda Kitchen located at 300 Parker Avenue.
Chief DeVaul said three black males rushed into the store, all wearing masks with all the suspects producing handguns.
The men ordered the two employees, the employee's 8-year-old son, and one male customer- age 66- to the ground authorities said.
Chief DeVaul said the customer was then viciously slammed to the ground by one of the suspects and his personal belongings were removed from his pockets.
The suspects removed $400.00 in cash from the register and an Apple IPAD from behind the counter according to Chief DeVaul.
All the parties on the scene refused medical attention from EMS as there were only minor injuries reported.
Public safety cameras show the vehicle involved was a dark-colored older model Chevy Impala last seen heading east on Irvington Avenue and makes a right on Franklin Terrace according to Chief DeVaul.