Man injured in Mercer County shooting after string of gas station robberies

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, N.J. (WTXF) - Police are investigating after a gas station worker was shot in Mercer County early Monday morning.

Around 7 a.m., officers responded to the Gulf Gas Station at 1100 block of Chambers Street.

Investigators say the suspect attempted to rob the Gulf Gas Station using a handgun. Surveillance video shows the suspect getting into an altercation with the gas station attendant, who was pumping gas for a customer. The 45-year-old worker, Robert Okyere, was shot in the abdomen during the scuffle.

The suspect fled the scene with $90 in cash and Okyere's phone.

The victim was hospitalized with a non-life threatening but serious wound.

FOX 29's Steve Keeley reports the suspect is believed to have attempted robberies at two other gas stations within Hamilton Township around the same time.

All three gas stations have the same owners. The incidents transpired between 5:40 and 6:15 a.m.

After the first robbery at a Fast Trac station, an attendant reportedly called another Fast Trac station. The staffer on the receiving end of the call reportedly locked up and prevented the suspected robber from entering.

The suspected robber then allegedly traveled down Chambers Street to the third station, where the attendant pumping gas was shot.

It is reported that the suspected robber arrived at the station in a white car, which he left behind following the shooting.

Police describe the suspect as a black man who is 5-foot-7 and 200 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black wave cap with a black sweatshirt and jeans.

No arrests have been made at this time. This is an ongoing investigation.

Anyone with any information is urged to contact Det. Dan Inman at 609-581-4035 or the Hamilton Police Crime Tip Hotline at 609-581-4008.