Ski-masked robbers caught on cameras at convenience store

Monday, April 09, 2007
By GREG HANLON
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

A Jersey City convenience store was held up yesterday in a daring robbery by two men in ski masks.

Cops said the two men jumped out of a black car around 1:10 a.m. at the Putnam Truck Stop on Tonnelle Avenue near Routes 1 & 9, grabbed a 58-year-old man and dragged him into the truck stop's convenience store.

The men, who were armed with handguns, demanded money from the store clerk as well as the 58-year-old man, who was not identified on police reports as either a customer or an employee.

When the 25-year-old clerk didn't hand over money fast enough, one slugged him over the head with his gun, police said. They also robbed another man in the store.

Meanwhile, cops said, the driver of the getaway car killed some time - by robbing another man who was standing outside the convenience store.

All together, the robbers got away with $2,700 from the store and $140 and credit cards from the other three victims.

No one was hurt during the robbery, which was captured on the store's surveillance cameras, police said.

A witness said the black car had a New Jersey license plate with the tag "JT279C," the police report said.

Authorities believe the same men may behind similar robberies in Essex and Union counties.

Anyone who spots that car or has any information is asked to call the Jersey City Police Department's tip line at (201) 547-JAIL.