Leonard McNeill.

By Cecilia Levine From Daily Voice

A man armed with what appeared to be a gun robbed a gas station attendant in Clifton before leading officers on a chase that ended in Passaic earlier this month, police said.

Officers were called to the Jersey Gas station at Lakeview Avenue and Crooks Avenue at 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 11, on a report of an armed robbery, Anderson said. Employees told police that a male suspect approached the attendant carrying a red gas can, then brandished an object that appeared to be a firearm, and struck the attendant in the face with it, according to Clifton Police Lt. Robert Anderson.

He then stole about $200 and a cell phone used for mobile payments, police said.

As officers responded, dispatch alerted them that the suspect fled in a 2024 Chevy Malibu and was being followed by a customer whose phone had been stolen, according to police.

Officer Justin DeGroat and Officer John Zayas spotted the Malibu on Route 21 South near Ackerman Avenue and followed it, police said. The car exited at Dayton Avenue in Passaic, where officers initiated a stop. The vehicle came to a halt on Hobart Street, and the suspect — identified as Leonard McNeill, 48, of Glassboro — got out and ran into a wooded area, Anderson said.

Officers chased McNeill and arrested him after a brief struggle, during which McNeill elbowed Officer DeGroat in his face, Anderson said. DeGroat suffered minor lacerations to his hand and wrist and was taken to a local hospital, where he was treated and released.

A search of McNeill revealed cash believed to be proceeds from the robbery and the stolen cell phone, Anderson said. Officers also recovered a wrench wrapped in cloth, suspected to be the weapon fashioned as a firearm and used to strike the attendant, along with a red gas can and suspected drug paraphernalia from the vehicle, police said.

The gas station attendant was treated at the scene for facial injuries but declined transport to a hospital.

McNeill was not injured. He was processed and taken to the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Hub to await his first appearance in Central Judicial Processing, Anderson said.

McNeill is charged with robbery, aggravated assault, aggravated assault on an officer, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon, resisting arrest by flight, and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to police.