Linden –Police took a Linden teenaged legal adult into custody charged him with the attack of a local store clerk.
According to a statement released by police, Ruben Soto, 18, is charged with first-degree attempted murder, first-degree robbery, first-degree carjacking, and related weapons offenses.
Police say, at approximately 3:15 p.m. on December 11, officers responded to Krausers Convenience Store, locates at 1114 S. Wood Avenue on reports of a robbery.
Police say Mr. Soto reportedly brandished a knife and demanded money from the store clerk.
The clerk opened the register, then Soto allegedly stabbed him multiple times before fleeing the store.
The clerk, a 40-year-old man from Edison, was taken to Newark University Hospital with serious injuries according to police.
The clerk has since been released police said.
After fleeing the scene, Soto allegedly attempted to enter a 2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK that was occupied by a woman, 31, and two children, ages 6 and 5. The driver refused to comply and fled the scene. No one was injured according to police.
A subsequent investigation by the Linden Police Detective Bureau identified Soto as the suspect. He surrendered himself to Detectives on December 17th.
“We are grateful for the cooperation of our residents and business owners who refuse to tolerate violent crimes like this, and we are proud of the incredible efforts that led to these charges,” said Police Chief David Hart. “We will continue to vigorously protect our community and remove all those that diminish the comfort and security we deserve.”
Soto was remanded to the Union County Jail pending an appearance in Superior Court.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.