Police Investigating Armed Robbery at Teaneck NJ Gas Station
Police in Teaneck NJ are looking for a man who allegedly robbed a local gas station at knifepoint.
According to police, the suspect entered the Exxon Station on 228 Teaneck Road, near Fort Lee Road, in Teaneck, New Jersey. The suspect then approached a station employee and pulled out a large kitchen knife.
The employee later told police that the suspect flashed the knife and demanded cash. After the employee gave the suspect approximately $160, the suspect reportedly left the station and fled the area on foot. According to the witness, the suspect headed westbound on Fort Lee Road.
Teaneck police were called to the scene a short time later. Officers with the Bergen County Police K-9 Unit canvassed the area; however, they were unable to locate the suspect.
Police officers also interviewed gas station employees. Witnesses provided police with a description of the suspect. The alleged robber has been described as a heavyset man in his 40s. He is reportedly balding. According to witnesses, the suspect was wearing a black long-sleeved sweatshirt with letters on both the chest and the left arm. Additionally, the suspect’s face was reportedly covered by some kind of material such as a bandana or a scarf.
Teaneck police recently released images taken from a security camera at the gas station. The surveillance footage reportedly shows the suspect around the time of the theft.
If the suspect is eventually identified and apprehended, he could face severe penalties. That’s because N.J.S.A. 2C:15-1 classifies robbery as a first degree criminal offense when the offender uses a deadly weapon like a knife or a handgun. A conviction on first degree armed robbery charges can potentially result in a sentence of 10–20 years in New Jersey State Prison.
Thankfully, no one was injured during the alleged robbery.
The Teaneck Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect. Anyone with information about the suspect or the incident is asked to contact investigators at 201-837-2600. Members of the public can also call the Tri-Community Crime Stoppers tip line at 201-488-4222.
To learn more about this case, check out the NJ.com article entitled “Knife-Wielding Bandit Sought in Teaneck Gas Station Holdup.”