EDISON – Police are investigating an attempted robbery at a township gas station last week.
An attendant was in the office of the Delta Gas Station on Route 27 at 4:40 a.m. on May 11 when a 6-foot white male – with a heavy build, wearing a black mask pulled over his face, black shirt and red pants – walked inside the office and sprayed the attendant with a chemical, Sgt. Robert Dudash said.
“Possibly like pepper Mace,” he said.
The attendant then grabbed the suspect’s shirt, which prompted the suspect to retaliate by striking the victim several times in the face with an unknown object, police said. He then left the scene and fled on foot down Route 27 south.
“The suspect left empty-handed,” Dudash said.
The victim was treated at the scene by the emergency squad, after he complained of a burning sensation in his eyes. He also had several superficial cuts on his face, according to reports.
The incident does not appear to be linked to any other incidents, but all possibilities are being looked into, Dudash said.
Police ask anyone with any information regarding this incident to contact the Edison Police Department at (732) 248-7400.
– John Dunphy