Ax-Wielding Masked Man Robbed Morris County Gas Station, Cops Say

A Budd Lake man was arrested this week after demanding money from a local gas station while wielding an ax, Mt. Olive Police said.

Police received a 9-1-1 call at 8:40 a.m. Wednesday morning for a report of a robbery at a local gas station, police said. When officers arrived they were told a man wearing a ski mask and holding an ax entered the business and demanded money, police said.

The store owner told police the man fled the scene in the direction of Eagle Rock Apartment Complex in Budd Lake, police said. While searching the area, officers were flagged down by a resident who stated a rust-colored vehicle driving erratically was seen in the apartment complex, police said.

Officers located the vehicle in front of an apartment in Hensyn Village, where police found three people inside, and were given consent to search the residence.

During the search of the apartment and vehicle, police found evidence of proceeds from the robbery, including the weapon described, authorities said.

All three people inside the apartment were taken to police headquarters, where it was discovered Paul Chlebek, 23, was accused of the crime, police said.

Chlebek was arrested an charged with robbery, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes, theft of moveable property, receiving/possession of stolen property, and terroristic threats.

Bail was set at $100,000 with no 10-percent option and Chlebek was lodged in Morris County Correctional Facility.

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