Man Nabbed After Armed Robbery At Wayne Gas Station: Police

WAYNE, NJ — A man faces several charges after an armed robbery early Thursday morning at a Wayne gas station, police said.

Michael Zita, of Oak Ridge, fueled his truck at the Shell gas station on Route 23 south at about 5:30 a.m., according to authorities. While the station attendant attempted to get money from him, Zita pulled out a knife, police said.

Zita, 37, failed to get money from the employee and fled the scene in a white Ford F-150 pickup truck, police said. The attendant wasn't injured.

Wayne police found Zita later that day in a surveillance operation. Additionally, a passenger in his vehicle — Maria Zita, 34, of Oak Ridge — was charged with third-degree possession of crack cocaine.

Through gas station surveillance footage and other investigative avenues, the Wayne Police Detective Bureau identified Michael Zita within a few hours after the incident. Det Tomasz Cydzik obtained an arrest warrant as police attempted to find the suspect.

Officers figured out Michael Zita's location that evening. Just before 7 p.m. Thursday, police pulled him over on Route 80 during a surveillance and arrest operation, authorities said.

Maria and Michael Zita were both arrested without incident, police said.

Michael Zita was charged with armed robbery (first-degree), possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose (third-degree), unlawful possession of a weapon (fourth-degree), two counts of certain persons not to possess weapons (fourth-degree), theft (fourth-degree) and possession of crack cocaine.

Both were remanded to the Passaic County Jail pending a detention hearing.