Netcong gas station robbed at gunpoint, suspect at large
I hope he gets caught. At least they provided a decent description.
http://www.dailyrecord.com/story/news/2016/07/27/netcong-gas-station-robbed-gunpoint-suspect-large/87614660/
NETCONG – Police are searching for a man who robbed a borough gas station at gunpoint.
At 3:38 a.m. on Tuesday, police received a 911 call regarding an armed robbery that occurred at the Valero Gas Station, located on Route 46 and Route 183.
Police were told that a man entered the gas station on foot from Route 46 and robbed an employee at gun point.
The man made off with about $500 in cash and then fled the scene, heading back onto Route 46 east, police said. There were no injuries reported.
The man was described as a white male, approximately 5 feet, 10 inches to 5 feet, 11 inches tall, wearing a black hoodie, blue jeans, dark colored shoes, a black mask and glasses.
The Netcong Police Department requests that anyone with information about this incident, including the identity of this suspect, should contact Netcong Police Department Corporal Ryan Plumb at 973-347-7700. Callers may remain anonymous.
Numerous law enforcement agencies are assisting in the investigation, including the Stanhope Borough Police Department, Roxbury Township Police Department, Mount Olive Township Police Department and the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Section and K-9 Units.
Joe M Seems odd that the guy pumping gas needs to carry $500 at night. All gas stations have safes to "drop" the cash into. Why someone would want to keep that amount of cash on them at night seems silly.
not sackAgreed, not sack
There may be more to the story, as there quite often is. When I was a night guy at 7-11 years ago, we'd be reprimanded if we didn't drop our cash on a timely basis and let the register till accumulate to more than $50.
Phil D. Agree with you. No need to have that amount on you. I don't think these gas stations and convenience stores should be open 24 hours. Just asking for trouble during these tough economic times. Do these places really make a profit that late at night?
LittleRascal Yes let's place blame at the attendant for carry that much money on him just begging to be robbed at gun point and at the gas station for being open during hours that will encourage robberies. Makes sense.
Darwin Maybe he only had $100 on him. Better story for insurance.
Or maybe he had $400 in the back room. Not any more!
You never know until the crook tells his side of that story and even then.....
strangerdanger Darwin
I never said it was the attendant's fault that they were robbed, but I was agreeing with not sack that they shouldn't have had that much on them. The fault lies with the robber, HOWEVER, making oneself an attractive target for a robber isn't particularly smart. If having that much "out" is against policy, then not only do you have the indignity and scariness of looking down the barrel of a firearm, but you could also be terminated and sometimes the insurance co. will refuse to pay on a claim over a certain amount due to that very reason.
If you work in a situation like that it's in your best interest to follow that policy, that is unless of course you're in collusion with your "robber". I'm NOT saying that's the case here, but in some other cases that's exactly what happened. At 7-11 (in the South it was a company store, NOT a franchised unit like up here) we faced instant termination depending on the level of cash found in the till. The policy was there for our safety, so we weren't "attractive" to the crimnal element. One night all the stores along the road I was on were held up at gunpoint, except mine. (One after another). The other 7-11's weren't following policy and the other convenience stores had no drop policy. I followed it and my store was the only one that didn't get robbed along that road. One of my friends was tied up and locked in the freezer - quit the very next day and never came back.
how was he making himself an attractive target? You think the robber knew how much $ he had on him when he robbed him?
I agree LittleRascal. I never saw a need for anything to be open 24 hrs. In this area.
I would assume anybody working alone in the middle of the night becomes a target. There is typically no other foot traffic or motorists around which would give a robber ample opportunity to strike.
The robber wouldnt know how much they carry, but let's face it these days people will rob another for just a couple of bucks.
This is probably just another inside job anyway.
JRT Darwin
I'm guessing you haven't worked in the security and/or surveillance industries, nor with Law Enforcement or as part of an insurance company. Most people are "situationally unaware" and present themselves as targets without realizing it, which is why there are normally policies and procedures in place for those who handle large amounts of cash on a normal basis, and especially when part of your work force is "exposed", such as a night worker on their own.
You'd be surprised at how little reconnaissance (especially for an experienced thief) to determine how likely a person is to have sums of cash on them. Just watch the next time you pay cash to the person at the gas pump. All it takes is for that attendant to bring out that big wad o' cash to make change. If they bring just a few bills out of their pocket that barely make change for what you paid with, you know that person's not likely to be a "good" target. The thief doesn't even need to have filled up there before, just to observe the attendant's behavior and demeanor from a clandestine spot nearby.
When I worked at 7-11 in the late 70's, we had the advantage of the company having hired a former armed robber who saw the advantages of using his "experience" at robbery to be put to good use and a good safe salary in order to show the company what to do and what not to do in order to help keep both the associates and the company assets as safe as possible. Drop safes and clearing visibility from the front door and windows to the register area were the main start and the company was aggressive in the promotion and enforcement of drop safe usage by the associates.
People are normally creatures of habit and most thieves know that and take advantage of it. While the robber may not have known exactly how much the attendant had on them at the time of the robbery, they quite likely had seen earlier behavior that suggested that they carried a decent amount of cash on their person or could have had an accomplice or other means of inside information. Of course we'll find out the details if and when the police solve this.
I remember south land would only ensure the tilll to 250 everything else had to be dropped for that reason
skippy Only on HL lol. Ok so that everybody is happy I vote that we change the topic title to:
Netcong gas station robbed at gunpoint, as foolish attendant had nerve to carry large amount in pocket.
It said: The man made off with about $500 in cash and then fled the scene. BUT it does not specify if all $500 was the station's. Maybe attendant had $300 of his own money that was taken. Which creates another topic title:
Netcong gas station robbed at gunpoint, as foolish attendant had nerve to carry his own large amount in pocket.
Clyde Potts 
Denis Not to mention, if there were no gas stations opened late, surely another source of venting. Not sure it has to do with the tough economic times as the rampant drug problems in the area. Hopefully, they have a video that can be shown to help catch the person.
Bessie I forgot Phil is the resident know it all on HL. my bad for questioning your greatness.
you are just making a ton of assumptions that this guy cased out the place and that the attendants someone tipped his hand onto how much $ he had on him without knowing any facts.
"I forgot Phil is the resident know it all on HL. my bad for questioning your greatness."
No Darwin, I've never laid claim to that title, nor do I ever infer that I know everything, because I don't. There are areas where I have training and expertise, such as in the area of retail theft, security, etc. where I feel qualified to posit my opinion(s) and contribute that knowledge.
While this could be just an opportunistic crime, if not, then either the attendant or management or both is part of the reason the robber got away with that amount of cash. It takes little more than common sense to see that and I'm not trying to "blame the victim" as apparently some are thinking. The robber obviously is the person to blame, as I've said before, however, there are normally procedures in place so businesses don't get robbed, or if so the losses are minimal.
Would you go to work on a late night shift with a wad of your own cash? If a drop safe is available, do you keep a wad of cash in your pocket to make change for the non-existent $500 or $1,000 bill? I doubt it. I know I never did. There is no logical reason to have that much cash on hand.
As I said, there are times when people apparently don't get it and I guess this is just another one of those times. Check with any LEO, especially a robbery division detective or with a security specialist and I'm pretty sure they'll repeat everything I said and add even more to it. Make fun of me all you want, because apparently that's all you seem to feel like doing. If someone takes my woirds to heart and makes themselves a less attractive target, then that's all that matters.
It would be great if they have video of the creep and are able to catch him. That had to be very scary for the attendant.
I would never blame the victim of a crime and don't think that is what others where saying on here. I think the first post about the attendant carrying that kind of cash was a "hint" that it might had been an inside job, I could be wrong, but thats how I read his post.
CRIME PREVENTION is how I took some of the other posts.
Taking some steps toward crime PREVENTION won't guarantee a crime won't happen, but it might deter a criminal.
I mean there are all sorts of things I've heard experts in crime prevention say either individuals or businesses can do.
For example, homeowners are told to install motion detecting lights outside, locking doors, using alarm systems or even putting a sign out to Beware Of Dog, ect. Things to make it just a bit more difficult of a target.
I would imagine businesses could do similar things. If I owned a business that stayed open all night I would look into things like NEVER having only 1 employee on a shift. Maybe changing policies like NO CASH, only credit or debit card after a certain hour.....and posting large signs stating that. Maybe installing a bunch of security cameras in plain sight, looking into increasing police presence.
Nothing, is going to prevent all crimes, but making yourself not the easiest target makes sense to me.
littlelu 
Mark Mc. littlelu Thanks for posting that.
Those are the main points I was trying to make. Perhaps the way you put it helps them to understand better why I posted what I did. Yes, I did infer in my first post that it could have been an inside job as well, though I kept that low key, because while it may be possible there was collusion with the victim, I would never want to assume that. The police will get to the bottom of what actually happened.
In the meantime, we still have the home invasion and public parking lot thefts that seem to remain unsolved. I imagine those stories may be interesting reading when the crimes are solved.
Mark Mc:
How does pumping your own gas solve the problem?
You still have to pay the gas attendant whether it be inside or outside so there is no point in doing such a thing.
When you have someone pointing a gun at you I'm quite certain you will give up the cash. Plus, most gas stations that I've seen or been to has a cashier/attendant out in the open. Just like banks that people rob everyday and get away with it where there are thousands of dollars compared to the money at gas stations. Of course you need to have a person there. Someone has to give change back to a customer who is paying with cash along with other things that a customer might need assistance with. I have yet to see one without an attendant.
Of course you won't see that in NJ.
In self serve states there's no reason to not end cash sales at a certain hour and leave it unattended for credit/debit only. In the meantime the attendant doesn't need to interact with every customer out in the open (especially a walk up).
The station sells diesel fuel ( truckers off of rt 80 thru the night ....).
it is only money, just be grateful no one was hurt , injured or killed.
Any station or business close to the interstates run the risk of these incidents.
Steven So "most" stations "you" have seen have an attendant.
How does that discredit the idea that *not* having an attendant would prevent theft?
Obviously you don't "need" to have an attendant there... they do make machines that accept cash too, why not install those at gas stations?
I think it was very clear:
Me: Self serve gas stations. Problem (mostly) solved.
You: How does pumping your own gas solve the problem?
Me: The attendant (if one even needs to be there) can remain inside a secure booth.
I directly answered your question. Whether or not any stations that you visit are currently set up that way is irrelevant and there ARE stations that don't have attendants, despite your claim that they are "needed" (even if they were there are protections that can be implemented where they don't need to physically interact with *every* customer).
eapos "How quickly we forget"
Nobody has forgotten that.
The fact that it's a stupid law is just another point of conversation. I believe New Jersey is the *only* state that entirely prohibits self serve (Oregon only allows it in some areas).
Must be more of those "common sense" laws that NJ loves so much.
positive The point is a station cannot be operated without an attendant until the law is changed, stupid or not in NJ so your solution to robbery does not work here. No attendant= no gas=no money= no theft
"The point is a station cannot be operated without an attendant until the law is changed, stupid or not in NJ so your solution to robbery does not work here."
Usually solutions require *changing* something, so your logic is a bit off... obviously the law would have to change to support that solution.
Seems to me it's just another NJ law that creates victims - forcing them to "serve" potential thieves at all hours of the night... not that theft avoidance is the main reason for self serve, but 49 other states (and Puerto Rico) can't be wrong.
I don't understand, how does that prevent or even minimize theft? Have you considered the strong possibility..patrons getting out of their car at night to pump their own gas being robbed or worse?
Have you considered that a *static* target that is *guaranteed* to be there and is required to approach *every* customer at all hours of the night carrying a large amount of cash is a better target than a transient patron that can leave (or not stop at all) if they feel the place is sketchy or is approached by someone that doesn't need to be approaching them?
If you were a thief, would you sit around and wait for the off chance that someone will stop by or go to the place where there's a sure shot of someone with a wad of cash sitting there alone?
Don't take my word for it, the New Jersey Gasoline Retailers Association says the same thing:
http://www.njgca.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/NJGCA-Self-Serve-White-Paper-5-18-15.pdf
"Allowing the option of self-serve, particularly late at night, will certainly lead to fewer shootings and robberies at gas stations. Attendants who work overnight shifts at 24-hour stations are literally sitting targets.
One only has to do a quick internet search to find numerous reports of gas attendants being robbed, shot, stabbed, and sometimes killed during robberies. Late at night, they are one of the only businesses still open and are left sitting around in a very open area with easy access to getaway routes.
While the attendant will be there for hours at a time, customers would be rolling in and out of the station, only hanging around for about 5 minutes and paying by credit card (therefore not likely to be carrying any significant amount of cash). The risk to the customer of robbery at a self-serve station is not any higher than it currently is at a full-serve station, as the presence of a single attendant is clearly not a deterrent to criminals.
Despite all this, some may still feel unsafe using a self-serve pump just as some feel unsafe using an ATM late at night, but those individuals can simply wait for morning, they should not ban self-serve as an option for every person in every corner of the state."
ummm, $1.79 a gallon and someone else pumps it for me? I like Jersey gas stations just the way they are, thank you.
ScottB I understand your point Mark, but wouldn't the same apply to overnight cashiers who work at 24 hour convenience stores? Do you have those in SC? Not being a wise guy...
Another issue, if Jersey went to self serve many people would be without a job.
The same applies to any business open late at night where someone is likely to be alone.
But if you can shut down the "attended" area and still make the same amount of money (I'd wager that cash sales in the wee hours of the morning barely, if at all, cover the labor costs) then why not do what 98% of the rest of the country figured out?
Mariann "Another issue, if Jersey went to self serve many people would be without a job."
That's technology for ya... not many pony express riders or switchboard operators anymore (among many other things).
Gas station owners aren't pumping your gas out of the kindness of their hearts. You are paying for it, and there is a cheaper option.
Do you use the self service car wash, bus/train ticket kiosk, or grocery check out? Those were all jobs in the past too.
What happens when Jersey Girls go out of state? They look ridiculous trying to figure out the gas pump.
I just sit staring at the pump like it's a tv. Can't figure out credit card and all those buttons. And man, if you want to pay by cash, it's the looooong walk to the interrogation center. "what pump?" "whataya mean what pump?" "the number man, the number." "I am not a number, I am a free man......"
If I had to use cash to fill up my truck, *I* would be the target with a big wad of money.
36 gallon tanks don't fill up cheap.
From Daily Record
Netcong, Rockaway Twp. gas stations robbed at gunpoint
http://dailyre.co/2aZM8Uf
NETCONG – A Route 46 gas station was robbed at gunpoint at nearly the exact same time as it was a week earlier and police are seeking the public’s help in identifying and locating the suspect who may have also been involved in a third robbery.At about 3:12 a.m. Tuesday morning, police responded to the Valero gas station, located at the corner of Route 46 and Route 183 in Netcong, for a report of an armed robbery, Chief James Blesson said.The suspect was described as a white male, approximately 5 feet, 10 inches to 5 feet, 11 inches tall, wearing a black hoodie, blue jeans, dark colored shoes, a black mask and glasses.Police believe the suspect entered the gas station property on foot from Route 46 and robbed an employee at gunpoint.
Unbelievable! He must have some balls. I'm sure he was disappointed not getting $500 like last time. Hopefully there won't be a 3rd time and/or going to another gas station to rob them too.
The only good thing about both incidents is no one got hurt and hopefully no one will in the future.
my brother is working on the west coast for last few months, gas is quite a bit more there than here...and they pump their own..
Mark Mc - "36 gallon tanks don't fill up cheap."
So $60 is a 'wad of cash'?? It's not 8 years ago. Gas is dirt cheap now.
GC Probably doesn't relate directly, but if you have to fill up more frequently than go to the bank, you'd be carrying more cash at the start of the week...
Brendan I could reply to your suggestion, Brendan ........ but it will be interesting to see if Mark ever answers ...........
I did answer... basically alluded to the same thing that Brendan said.
Do we have to spoon feed you the logic every time? I never said that the frequency changes the cost of each particular fill up, but more fill ups would require more cash if you don't want to go to the ATM each time you need gas.
Considering the size/mileage of my truck, that means several hundred extra dollars I'd need to be carrying, as opposed to a single piece of plastic.
No Mark, don't feed anyone your 'logic'.
Intelligence is knowing not to have a "wad" of a weeks worth -or more- of cash in one's wallet when going out to pump gas.
So taking several to mean at least 3 - $300 translates into 175 gallons of gas. At 18 mpg that's 3150 miles. You commute 3150 miles a week?? Yikes, that would be like someone here doing a daily commute to Canada.
Sure, if you get 18 MPG and hit the ATM once a week (neither of which I said, so nice strawman argument, by the way).
$300 in gas is easily one trip back and forth to NJ if I decided to visit for a holiday.
My average is $150/month, with the most being $391 (the month I moved down).
"Intelligence is knowing not to have a "wad" of a weeks worth of cash"
Which is why I use a credit card. Thanks for confirming my intelligence.
I can't remember why we're arguing about how much we all might spend on gas... Did they catch the robber yet, or has he hit again (in the same spot?)..?
When you're pumping your own gas in NY look up-there's a fire suppression system in the canopy that's automatic-and required by law from what I understand to extinguish a fire more likely when a professional does not dispense your fuel...definitely a cost to implement something like this if NJ went to self serve...
Regarding the amount of cash...with the cheap stuff in the upper dollar range and the premium pushing two and a half a gallon now I think that it's very likely an attendant will always have a couple hundred on their person...I mean having a 50 a few 20's and a small pile of tens fives and singles to be able to make some change is not that out of the ordinary-I'd be surprised if many station required a drop before you have a minimum of 300 in you hand a making change for a few fill-ups and having the fill up money will put you right back there...
info. This guy is a creature of habit - the Netcong station twice and now the Rockaway station twice.
http://www.nj.com/morris/index.ssf/2016/08/armed_robber_strikes_again_at_rockaway_gas_station.html#incart_river_index
Bonv Guess it beats working for a living. No taxes. Lol.
Seriously, they need to catch this guy before he decides to use the gun.
Botheredbyuu2 Looks like they got him!
http://www.dailyrecord.com/story/news/crime/morris-county/2016/08/19/alleged-serial-morris-county-gas-station-robber-caught/88990710
So he came to NJ to rob a specific gas station multiple times... wonder if the gas station attendants in PA are packing too much heat.
Robbed it for the 3rd time????? Oh my! He's got some balls. Glad they got him and is now locked up before someone might have lost their life because of his drug problem.
Frankly I'm a bit surprised that the attendant had even more money on them this time than they had in the past robberies. I guess knowing the cops were there may have given them more confidence that the robber would either see the police and not try anything, or they were just lax because of that. After the other convenience stores on the route right past the one I worked in were robbed, I was even more careful to get rid of any excess cash into the drop safe. I cared about my own life and safety and I really wish these guys would be more careful for their own safety. Anyone reading the article would know that they can usually score a decent amount there, just don't hit there more than once.
The alleged robber's only mistake, besides the crimes themselves, were to keep treating those stations as his own personal ATM and "visiting" them at a fairly regularly scheduled time. I'm glad this one was caught, but I really hope the attendants and the management of these stations (and others) see this as an opportunity to help make conditions safer for themselves!
The collision might not have resulted in any serious injuries by the grace of god, but my friend's car is totaled because of this jackass. Hope this scum thinks about how he could have killed her why he sits in jail.
JrzyGirl88 JrzyGirl88
The article states "The alleged robber exited off Route 80 onto Mount Hope Avenue and while attempting to make a turn, he was struck by a car heading south on Mount Hope Avenue. The collision did not result in serious injuries, Blesson said." Sadly, the way this is stated sucks, especially since he was charged with aggravated assault by auto. They should have said that while attempting to elude police he turned in front of another car that was proceeding through the intersection and which consequently struck his vehicle. I guess they were feeling generous, since they didn't give him a "failure to yield or stop" or any kind of speeding ticket either (I doubt he stayed under 65mph), etc. and just hit him up with the larger charges alone.
I sincerely hope your friend is OK, though I'm sure the experience had to be traumatic, since that's normally a relatively peaceful time of night. I'm glad they weren't "seriously injured", but I know you don't usually come out of an accident like that without injury. I hope they feel better soon!
Phil D. unfortunately the Daily Rag.. oops I mean Record strikes again..believe half of what you read. My friend is pretty banged up, but after seeing her and photos of her car it could have been so much worse. Just thankful her and the passenger in her car were able to walk away. Thank you for the well wishes for her.
Funny how they spent a paragraph describing picture of the guy in the picture......Surprised they didn't add "dressed in an orange jumpsuit...."
Tracy JrzyGirl88, My best wishes for your friend and the passenger in her car to feel good soon. Unfortunately the memory will probably stay with them for quite awhile!
MrsPipes the motor vegicle violations would be municipal and not necessarily on the criminal indictment - I am quite sure he will be receiving a ton of tickets as well
Thanks all for the good wishes~ I will pass them along to her.
Tracy I thought the same exact thing!
Denis
I wonder which one that would be, Athos, Porthos, Aramis or d'Artagnon? I'd have to guess d'Artagnon, since he was the youngest, though Porthos loved the drink and he didn't wish to get family involved, like Aramis. The only one he doesn't seem to fit that well is Athos, the oldest of the Musketeers. Good observation on your part, as I definitely hadn't thought about that 'til you brought it up. Now if he had been "clean" and could act... maybe he wouldn't have gotten himself in such a pickle!
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