By dave benjamin
Staff Writer
MANALAPAN — Charges of conspiracy to commit robbery, attempted robbery and criminal restraint have been lodged against three men following an incident at a township gas station.
On May 28 at 4:43 p.m., Patrolman Brian Cruse, Sgt. Timothy Kirkland and Detective Joseph Moreto responded to a report of an assault and attempted robbery at the Mobil gas station on Route 33 west, near Iron Ore Road.
"The victim (a 33-year-old male), who is an attendant at the gas station, related that three Indian males pulled into the gas station driving a silver Toyota 4Runner," Cruse said. "One of the males got out of the vehicle and began talking with the victim, and then began punching him."
While being punched by one suspect, the other two suspects grabbed the victim by the arms and held him, according to police. The victim was then punched in the head, throat and chest and an attempt was made to remove money from his pocket. When customers at the gas station came to assist the attendant, the three suspects fled in the 4Runner on Route 33 west.
A description of the vehicle and the suspects was broadcast to surrounding towns and the suspects were apprehended a short time later in the Burlington County community of Florence by the Florence Township Police.
Police identified the suspects as Paramjeet Chahal, 44, of Florence; Harpreet Singh, 18, of Florence; and Gurpreet Jhammat, 23, of Burlington. The suspects were arrested and each was charged with conspiracy to commit robbery, attempted robbery and criminal restraint. Chahal was also charged with simple assault.
All three suspects were placed in the Monmouth County jail, Freehold Township, with bail set at $2,500 for Jhammat and Singh, and $3,500 for Chahal, according to police.
Police said the victim was uninjured and no money appeared to have been taken.
Cruse is the investigating officer.