Crime & Safety

Summit Man Robbed Gas Station At Knifepoint: Police

This is the second armed robbery at the same Summit gas station within a year. ​

SUMMIT, NJ — A Summit man was arrested and charged with robbing a city gas station attendant at knifepoint.

On June 5 just before 1 a.m., Patrick D. Vermilyea, 44, of Summit drove up to one of the gas pumps at the Shell gas station at 6 River Road, Summit Police Detective Christopher Medina said.

As the attendant went to leave the center vestibule, Vermilyea got out of his car wearing a face mask and holding a knife, Medina said.

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Vermilyea reportedly forced the attendant back into the vestibule with the knife and stole cash and cigarettes. He then got back in his car and fled.

A description of his vehicle was given to police when a Millburn Police Officer saw Vermilyea speeding on Route 24, Medina said.

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The officer was able to stop Vermilyea's car and police searched it, where they found $221 in cash and 14 packs of cigarettes along with a large, fixed-blade knife, Medina said.

The gas station attendant did not suffer any injuries.

Vermilyea was arrested and charged with armed robbery and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. He was processed and transported to the Union County Jail where custody was transferred.

This is the second armed robbery at the same gas station within a year. A robber had attacked a gas station attendant and hit him multiple times in the head with a wrench before stealing cash. (See Related: Video Shows Robber Brutally Beating Summit Gas Attendant With Wrench)

(Image via Google Maps: Shell gas station at 6 River Road in Summit)

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