Hanover New Jersey police arrested a man accused of assaulting a gas station attendant and then trying to leave the station without paying.
According to law enforcement, the 55-year-old suspect committed the crimes at the Shell station located on Route 10 in Hanover Township, NJ. The suspect was at the station to get fuel for his van.
The suspect, who is from New York, allegedly struck the gas station employee with the door of his van.
After the victim fell to the ground, the suspect reportedly drove off. While making his way out of the station, the suspect allegedly struck and damaged a booth. He also allegedly slammed into a concrete barrier.
A Hanover police patrolman later located the suspect and placed him under arrest.
The suspect has been charged with a number of crimes, including aggravated assault, hindering apprehension, and criminal mischief.
Additionally, the suspect has been charged with robbery and theft of services because he allegedly left the station without paying for the fuel.
Beyond that, the suspect has been issued several motor vehicle summonses, including reckless driving, driving while suspended, and failure to possess proof of registration and insurance.
If the suspect is ultimately convicted on the more serious criminal offenses, he could be subject to significant penalties. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(b), aggravated assault can potentially be classified as a fourth degree felony if the offender uses a motor vehicle to cause serious bodily injury. A conviction on fourth degree aggravated assault charges could lead to a sentence of up to 18 months in New Jersey State Prison.
After being arrested and processed, the suspect was taken to the Morris County Correctional Facility in Morristown, NJ. The suspect is being held at the jail in lieu of $50,000 bail.
For more information about this case, read the NJ.com article entitled “Driver Tried to Flee Hanover Gas Station, Hits Attendant, Police Say.”
