Police are searching for two suspects in connection with an armed robbery and shooting at a Route 22 West hotel in Bridgewater, where an employee was seriously injured.

A reward of $1,500 has been offered for information leading to the arrest of suspects responsible for the New Year's Day robbery of the Americas Best Value Inn in Bridgewater. Bridgewater Police responded to a report of a robbery and shooting at the Inn at 4:27 a.m. on Jan. 1. Upon arrival, they encountered a hotel employee who had been pistol whipped and was suffering from multiple lacerations and a grazed gunshot wound to her leg, Somerset County Prosecutor Geoffrey D. Soriano stated.

The victim stated that while working at the front desk, two unknown black males entered the front entrance doorway, and both suspects brandished firearms towards her. The suspects demanded money, and the victim complied by turning over an undisclosed amount, Prosecutor Soriano stated. The suspects then led the employee at gunpoint towards a back office in the motel and demanded additional money, at which time one of the suspects began to pistol whip the victim, causing multiple lacerations to her head.

"During the assault one of the suspects fired a round from his handgun thus striking the victim on her right calf, causing a minor graze wound," Soriano added. Following the alleged assault, the suspects fled south from the motel on foot, travelling on Route 22 West towards Adamsville Road.

Immediately after fleeing the hotel, video footage from a nearby business showed a silver vehicle exiting Adamsville Road and making a right onto U.S. Highway Route 22 East, Soriano stated.

The victim was transported to an area hospital where she received treatment for her injuries and was subsequently discharged.