Man Charged In Hazlet Gas Station Stabbing, Armed Robbery

HAZLET, NJ - A Keyport man has been charged in connection with an armed gas station robbery at a Shell station on Route 36 that resulted in the stabbing of an employee, authorities said.

Darren Purnell, 36, was charged Tuesday with attempted murder, robbery, aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon in connection with the Aug. 9, 2022 incident at the 1355 State Highway 36 station, Hazlet Police Chief Ted Wittke said in a statement.

The Keyport man was identified following a “lengthy and thorough” investigation from the Hazlet Township Police Department’s Detective Bureau, Wittke said, citing a track that K-9 Officer Sachs and his K-9 Rico had conducted on the night of the attack that led to evidence of the incident.

“Detective Venticinque collected additional evidence at the scene along with video surveillance that helped lead to the positive identification of the suspect,” Wittke said.

Purnell is currently lodged in Monmouth County Correctional Institute pending a future court date.