Suspect arrested in gas station robbery attempt

ABERDEEN — An unsuccessful attempt to rob a gas station in town ended with the burglary suspect trying to hide under a parked car and later in police custody, according to township police.

According to a press release from the Aberdeen Township Police Department, at approximately 4 p.m. on March 18, Leland Washington, 48, of Newark, entered a gas station on lower Main Street with a container to purchase a small amount of gas. He then allegedly produced a knife and attempted to force the attendant into a restroom and demanded money, police said.

The attendant resisted and called for help. The gas station’s owner responded and Washington allegedly fled on foot toward the Aberdeen train station. The station owner chased Washington until officers arrived in the area, according to a press release from the police department.

Aberdeen Township Patrol Officer Kathleen Sisti located Washington, who police said was attempting to hide under a vehicle on Johnson Avenue.

Washington was taken into custody and charged with robbery, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. He was also arrested for an outstanding contempt warrant out of Aberdeen. Bail was set at $150,000 with no 10 percent option. According to police, Washington was committed to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution.