Authorities in Linden are on the search for suspects who are responsible for two armed robberies in the city during the overnight hours.
According to a statement released by Linden Police, at approximately 8:50 p.m. officers responded to the Exxon Gas station, located at 11 E. Edgar Rd, on reports of an attempted robbery.
Police say the victim, a 30-year-old Staten Island man, was reportedly putting air in his tire when a white or Hispanic man approached and attempted to steal the vehicle. Upon discovering that a female passenger still occupied the vehicle, the suspect turned and ran from the scene.
According to Linden Police officials, the victim chased the suspect into a nearby vehicle, at which time three additional suspects exited the car and assaulted the victim. One of the men, brandishing a handgun, returned to the victim's car and robbed the woman.
Police say the suspects took the 26-year-old Staten Island woman's purse and cell phone.
Authorities described the suspect as a thin white man who wore dark clothing and a black ski mask.
Police say the other suspects were three thin black men -two of whom were also wearing dark clothing and black ski masks- and the third wore a black skull cap, black ski mask and a black hoodie with white writing on it.
The suspects fled the scene in a newer model silver or gray Mercedes SUV with a NJ temporary registration traveling north on Route 1 toward Elizabeth. The vehicle had a spare tire on the front passenger side and damage to the driver's side rear-view mirror according to police.
EMS treated the man for minor injuries on the scene and the woman was not injured according to police.
Police say later in the evening, at about 12:15 a.m. this morning, officers responded to Cheeques, 1251 E. Linden Ave, on reports of a robbery.
Units arrived and were told that a 31-year-old man from Tinton Falls and a 26-year-old woman from Linden were reportedly approached in the parking lot by a man who brandished a handgun as they exited their vehicle.
Police say the suspects stole jewelry and cash before he fled the scene traveling east on E. Linden Ave toward Elizabeth in a dark colored sedan.
Police described the suspect as a black man, approximately 5'4 with shorter, braided hair wearing a do-rag, black and white track pants, and a puffy black jacket.
Both of these incidents are under investigation by the Linden Police Detective Bureau, and anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Tim Hubert at (908) 474-8532.