Cashier Robbed at Gunpoint in Route 59 Gas Station

The cashier at a Route 59 gas station told police he was robbed by an armed man early this morning.

Around 12:30 a.m., a man entered the Shell Gas Station—located at 68 Route 59 in Spring Valley—and robbed the cashier at gunpoint. He left with an undetermined amount of cash and police were searching the surrounding areas this morning.

Sam Essmaio, the cashier, was alone in the gas station when it happened, and no one was injured.

“It was just me in there (the gas station). It was like 10 seconds (the robbery),” said Essmaio. “He had a gun, a little black gun. He only said a couple words, like ‘give me all the money.’ He looked scared. I just gave him all the money.”

Essmaio described the man had on a black hoodie and was wearing “something covering his face like a bandanna.”

Essmaio said he saw the man come from the southwest side of the gas station where the air pumps are located. The man then came in the front entrance and demanded money.

“I was about to close the shift so it was about $250 or $300 (that the man stole),” said Essmaio. “(Afterward) I called the cops right away, I pressed the alarm button.”

Spring Valley Police said that no additional information was available yet. The gas station is next to the intersection of Pascack Road and Route 59, near the Spring Valley Marketplace.