NEWARK -- A man was charged with the armed robbery of a Newark supermarket on Sunday after police said he led store employees to believe he had a gun in his coat.



Police charged 28-year-old Jwuan Bowles of Newark with robbery, possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes, Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said.



Police say Bowles entered a supermarket on Lyons Avenue at about 7 a.m. and announced the robbery.

An employee of the supermarket activated a alarm, which drew police to the store.

Jwuan Bowles



When the officers arrived, they saw Bowles running from the store and caught him after a brief chase on foot, said Ambrose.



The director commended the officers for their quick response and apprehension of Bowles.

Capt. Derek Glenn, a department spokesman, said no gun or any other weapon was recovered.

Glenn said Bowles was charged with the possession and use of a weapon for unlawful purposes because he led his victims to believe, falsely or otherwise, that he was armed.

"They believed he he had a weapon," Glenn said. "They thought he had a gun in his coat," Glenn said.

Steve Strunsky may be reached at sstrunsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SteveStrunsky. Find NJ.com on Facebook.