The incident happened around 5:15 p.m. at the Racestar Gas Station on Port Reading Avenue in Port Reading.
Woodbridge police say arriving officers found the 42-year-old victim and rushed him by ambulance to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, where he underwent surgery.
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The investigation revealed that the station attendant attempted to stop an alleged shoplifter at the station's convenience store, which escalated to a confrontation outside where the suspect stabbed him in the neck with a knife.
The suspect, identified as 23-year-old Harlin Rodriguez, initially fled the scene but was located a short time later with the assistance of Carteret Police Department.
He was apprehended and is charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon, and robbery.
The gas station owner tells Eyewitness News that the employee had worked for him for two years and was a good, honest man.
He remains hospitalized.
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