Crime & Safety
Man May Plead on Gas Station Robbery Charge
Man allegedly got impatient when cash register had to be rebooted
A Piscataway man charged with robbery at a Route 22 gas station is scheduled to make a plea in the case.
Curtis Ford, 26, is scheduled to appear before Superior County Superior Court Judge Paul Armstrong on Sept. 9 in connection with the robbery at the Hess station earlier this year.
At about 2 a.m. Feb. 9, Bridgewater Police received a 911 call of a robbery at the gas station. Officers responding to the scene spoke with employees who said that Ford entered the convenience store part of the gas station and attempted to purchase a gift card, cigarettes and two candy bars, authorities said.
But, due to a software malfunction with the cash register, the cashier had to reboot the cash register and Ford became impatient and attempted to grab cigarettes from the rear of the counter, authorities said.
When the cashier blocked Ford from the cigarette rack, a struggle ensued.
After putting a gift card and candy bars in his pocket, Ford attempted to leave the store. But another employee had locked the door and, with the assistance of a Good Samaritan customer, Ford was restrained until police arrived, authorities said.
While waiting for the police, Ford assaulted the two employees and customer by biting them. The cashier sustained an injury to her left hand during the encounter, according to authorities.
Ford was charged with second-degree robbery, and fourth-degree obstructing the administration of law.
