Mercer Man Charged For Punching Gas Station Worker Over $1: Police

EAST WINDSOR, NJ — An East Windsor resident was charged with aggravated assault after he punched a gas station worker during an altercation, West Windsor police said.

On Jan. 4, at 5:36 p.m., officers responded to the Valero gas station at Princeton Hightstown Road/Southfield Road, on a report of an active physical altercation.

According to police, Kishan Patel had stopped with a friend to buy gas for his vehicle. A dispute started when Patel felt he had been incorrectly provided $1 less of gas than he paid for and that the attendant owed him $1, police said.

The dispute escalated when Patel punched the worker twice in the face causing minor injuries, police said.

Police said Patel brandished a folding knife during the encounter. The knife was located at the scene nearby an empty garbage can, police said.

The West Windsor Division of Fire and Emergency Services arrived at the scene to attend to the gas station worker, who sustained cuts to his forehead and nose area. The attendant declined to be taken to a hospital, police said.

Patel was charged with aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

He was taken to West Windsor Police Headquarters for processing and released pending a future Mercer County Superior Court Date.

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