Bias not behind 7-Eleven incident

A car that crashed through the front of the 7-Eleven on Route 206 in Hillsborough Thursday night was not a backlash to last Tuesday’s terrorist hijackings, the store owner and police say.

By:Alec Moore
   Bharat Naik, a native of India and the owner of the 7-Eleven, said he does not believe the car was crashed into the store in response to the terrorist acts committed last Tuesday. Mr. Naik said the suspect did not make any racial slurs or other anti-Middle Eastern or Arab sentiments before or after the crash.
   "This is the first time anything like this has ever happened," said Mr. Naik, who said damage estimates to the convenience store exceeded $3,000.
   Hillsborough Police Lt. Victor Kubisch said the driver of the vehicle is Sullivan McGowan, 18, of Hillsborough. Mr. McGowan turned himself in to police Friday morning.
   Mr. McGowan is facing charges of assault by auto, unlawful taking of a means of conveyance and criminal mischief. The assault by auto and unlawful taking charges are indictable charges and have yet to be authorized by the Somerset County Prosecutors office.
   According to Lt. Kubisch, Mr. McGowan had entered a 1995 Plymouth model car that was parked just outside the south end of the 7-Eleven’s plate glass window facade. After the car’s driver got out of the vehicle, with the engine still running, Mr. McGowan got in and drove the car headfirst into the store, striking two male customers inside as it smashed through the stores glass facade.
   After crashing into the store, Mr. McGowan immediately fled the scene on foot. One of the two men struck was transported to Somerset Medical Center after complaining of pain all over his body. The other man struck suffered a laceration to his hand but refused medical attention. Mr. McGowan will be scheduled to appear in court once a date is set.