N.J. man, 68, attacked, robbed of wallet in shopping center

A 68-year-old man was attacked and robbed Tuesday night at a shopping center in Bergen County, authorities said.

The man, a Hudson County resident, told police he was approached by a robber asking him for money about 7:30 p.m. on West Passaic Street near a grocery store and coffee shop in Rochelle Park.

“The victim refused and was then pushed to the ground and his wallet was forcibly removed from a back pocket,” Rochelle Park Police Capt. James DePreta said in a statement.

Three responding police officers stopped the suspected robber nearby and found he was in possession of the victim’s wallet, DePreta said.

Ramsey Thompson, 42, of Passaic, was charged with second-degree robbery and held at the Bergen County Jail ahead of a court hearing, public records show. Attorney information for Thompson was not immediately available.

DePreta said the victim did not require medical attention. Officers returned the wallet, along with contents that included credit cards and gift cards, to the victim, DePreta said.