Newark Cop Stumbles On Armed Robbery, Shoots Suspect: Authorities

A Newark police officer unexpectedly foiled an armed robbery attempt at a Sunoco gas station on Thursday morning, drawing his service weapon and shooting one of the alleged stick up men during the encounter, authorities said.

According to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, around 12:30 a.m., the on-duty officer entered the Sunoco on Washington Street to find two men – one of whom was armed with a handgun – in the process of robbing the mini-mart.

During the resulting confrontation, the officer drew his weapon and shot the suspect holding the gun, authorities stated.

Emergency responders transported the wounded suspect to University Hospital and authorities took the second suspect into custody.

The officer was taken to the hospital to be examined and evaluated after the incident, authorities added.

No information was available about the condition of the suspects or the officer.