Netcong, Rockaway Twp. gas stations robbed at gunpoint

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.

The suspect left with $180 in cash, fleeing the scene heading east on Route 46 toward Roxbury in a gray four-door sedan. No injuries were reported.

The same gas station was robbed at nearly the exact same time one week earlier, at about 3:38 a.m. on July 26, Blesson said. In that incident, the suspect stole about $500.

Police believe the same person was responsible for both robberies and another one in mid-July in Rockaway Township.

That robbery occurred at about 2:10 a.m. at the Shell gas station on Green Pond Road, according to Rockaway Township Chief Martin McParland.

The suspect, who fits the same physical description as the person in the Netcong robberies, pointed a gun at an employee and stole about $500 before fleeing on foot, McParland said. There were no reported injuries.

Police did not receive a call about that robbery until eight hours later at about 10 a.m., as the suspect allegedly threatened the employee and told him not to call the authorities.

McParland said detectives were able to lift fingerprints from the scene and are awaiting the results to identify the suspect.

The suspect remained at large Friday afternoon.

Anyone with information about the robberies, including the identity of the suspect, is asked to call Netcong Cpl. Joseph Matits at 973-347-7700.  Callers may remain anonymous.

Stanhope Police, Roxbury Police, Mount Olive Police and the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Section and K-9 Units all assisted in the investigation.

The investigation is active and no additional information was released Friday afternoon.

Staff Writer Michael Izzo: 973-428-6636; mizzo@GannettNJ.com