On the heels of a baby formula shoplifting attempt and physical assault at Target on Sunday, another attempted baby formula robbery and subsequent employee assault occurred this morning at the same Target location in Manalapan. Although police are reporting that this incident does not appear to be connected with the any other reported incidents at Target.

Two Target employees were assaulted by a male suspect trying to shoplift baby products from the Target located at Epicentre Shopping Center on Rt. 9 South in Manalapan. 

At around 10 a.m. a Target Loss Prevention officer sought to apprehend a man who appeared to be shoplifting. The male suspect than began assaulting the loss prevention employee and ran from the store on foot. During the physical assault the Target loss prevention officer, a 23-year-old male, and another Target employee, a 30-year-old male, sufferred minor injuries. They were treated by the Englishtown-Manalapan First Aid Squad.

The suspect, identified as a black male and approximately 30-years-old, was seen entering the passenger's side of a gray SUV, according to a police report. The car was being driven by a white female, who is believed to be involved in the shoplifting incident, police said.

Among the attempted stolen products were baby formula and baby clothes, among other items, according to police. The shoplifters were not successful in removing any merchandise from the Target store.

Patrolman Robert Kelly and Detective Leonard Maltese of the Manalapan Police Department responded to the scene. If anyone has any information regarding this attempted robbery and assault please call the Manalapan Police at 732-446-4300.