DARKWATER — State police at Frackville are investigating an attempted robbery that occurred Saturday evening at a gas station on Route 61 in New Castle Township.
Police said a white man believed to be in his late teens or early 20s approached the 43-year-old gas station attendant at the Gas Way Gas Station, 1471 State Route 61, at 6:54 p.m. and told him that he needed to clean up the restroom. The attendant approached the restroom, and the suspect struck him in the arms and hands with a pellet gun, police said.
Police said the attendant fought back and ran away from the suspect into the gas station, but the suspect followed him. The attendant grabbed a bat and chased the suspect, and the suspect threw a knife at the attendant and fled the station without any cash or items. Police said the suspect ran into a wooded area behind the gas station and headed south toward Saint Clair, and several local police departments assisted state police with a search of the area.
Police said the attendant suffered minor abrasions on his hands and arms.
Police said the suspect has a thin build and is about 5 feet 7 inches tall. He was wearing a black hood, tan khaki pants, a black cap with a flat brim, sneakers and sunglasses.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 570-874-5300.