Carteret Man Charged After Robbery At Woodbridge Gas Station

WOODBRIDGE, NJ – A Carteret man has been charged with attempted murder following a shoplifting incident at a Woodbridge gas station.

On Monday just after 5 p.m., Woodbridge Police responded to the Racestar Gas Station at 915 Port Reading Avenue in Port Reading for a reported robbery.

When police arrived, they found a 42-year-old man suffering from a stab wound to the neck. He was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, where he underwent surgery.

Following an investigation, police determined the station attendant attempted to stop a shoplifter in the station's convenience store when the suspect stabbed him in the neck with a knife. The suspect ran away from the scene and was located a short time later, police said.

Harlin M. Rodriguez, 23, of Carteret, was charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon and robbery. He is currently at Middlesex County Workhouse.