HARLEM — A homeless man assaulted an East Harlem gas station clerk after the worker refused to hand over money in an attempted robbery earlier this week, police said.
Robert Jackson, 51, entered at BP Gas Station at 1890 Park Ave. on Aug. 14 at around 2 a.m. and demanded money from the clerk behind the counter, police said.
The store clerk refused to hand over the cash, which prompted Jackson to walk behind the counter and assault the clerk, according to the criminal complaint.
Jackson grabbed the clerk and began wrestling with him. The victim suffered bruising and redness around his right hand, according to the complaint.
Jackson stated that he went around the counter to prevent the clerk from calling the police, police said.
The store clerk was taken to Harlem Hospital to treat his injuries, according to the complaint.
Jackson was charged with one count of second-degree burglary and one count of attempted robbery in the second degree, according to a criminal complaint.
He was arraigned on Aug. 14 and his bail was set at $20,000 cash or bond. He is scheduled back in court on Aug. 19.
His attorney could not be reached for comment.
