Clark Man Robbed Raritan Road Shell Station at Knifepoint, Police Say

The Cranford Police Department arrested a Clark man for allegedly displaying a knife and robbing an H&B Shell gas station Tuesday evening.

William Black, 24, was charged with robbery and weapons possession. Cranford police say Black entered a gas station attendant's booth, displayed a knife to an employee and stole approximately $100.

Black then allegedly fled the area on foot across Raritan Road towards Clark. Cranford and Clark police were unable to locate him on the night of the robbery, according to police. 

On Wednesday, Detective John Swandrak canvassed the route the alleged robber took and located footprints leading toward Black's house, Sgt. Gerard Quinn explained.

At 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Swandrak and Detective Spencer Durkin located Black at his home and arrested him on an unrelated warrant, police said. Following an investigation by Cranford Police Department, detectives linked Black to robbery at H&B Shell, police said. 

Chief Eric G. Mason commended both the Cranford and Clark detectives for working together.

"Unfortunately, crime often transcends local borders," he said. "Only through teamwork and the sharing of information will the police obtain an advantage over the criminals."

Black is being held on $50,000 bail and will have his first court appearance on Friday.