Montclair NJ police are searching for two suspects accused of committing a violent armed robbery at a local gas station.

The scary incident went down around 6:22 p.m. According to Montclair NJ law enforcement, two men walked into the Delta gas station located on Harrison Avenue in Montclair and approached an attendant who was sitting in a booth.

The two suspects asked the gas station worker if they could borrow cigarettes. When the gas station attendant told them that he did not have any cigarettes, one of the suspects allegedly reached out and grabbed the victim by the throat. The suspect reportedly shoved the victim further inside the booth.

The other suspect then reportedly took out a handgun and pressed it against the victim’s neck. Both suspects allegedly demanded that the victim hand over cash.

The frightening robbery attempt ended when the suspects allegedly took $1,000 from the victim’s uniform pockets and then fled the scene on foot.

The victim subsequently dialed 911 and notified the Montclair Police Department to alert authorities to the theft.

Montclair NJ law enforcement is investigating the armed robbery and trying to identify the suspects.

The first suspect has been described as a large Hispanic man who stands 5-feet-9-inches tall. He was reportedly wearing a black baseball cap and dark sweatpants during the robbery. The second suspect has been described as a tall black man. While committing the theft, he reportedly wore a black baseball cap, a dark t-shirt, and black sweatpants. Police also said that the second suspect walked with a noticeable limp.

If Montclair police can eventually determine the identities of the suspects, it is likely that the men would face serious criminal charges for armed robbery, aggravated assault, and weapons offenses. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:15-1, a person who uses a handgun, knife or any other deadly weapon to commit a theft can be charged with a first degree felony. A conviction on first degree armed robbery charges could lead to a sentence of 10-20 years in NJ State Prison.

For additional information about this case, see the NJ.com article, “Robbers Grabbed Montclair Gas Attendant’s Throat, Placed Gun on His Neck, Cops Say.”