Gas station worker killed during attempted robbery

Web produced by Bill King, Eyewitness NewsNEW YORK (WABC) -- A gas station employee was fatally shot during an apparent attempted robbery while working in the Bronx late Tuesday.

Police say the 28-year-old man, identified as Lamin Sillah, was in the office when two suspects rode up on bicycles to RC Petrolioum on East 182nd Street and Southern Boulevard in the East Tremont section around 9:40 p.m.

Co-worker Jason Mwewa said the gas station was packed at the time, but that didn't stop the suspects. Mwewa had just arrived to relieve Sillah, who was finishing up before he went home.

"The guy pulled out the gun and he put it behind my back," Mwewa said. "I just put my hands up, and he searched my pocket. And as soon as he was done, I walked away. But my co-worker, he was doing paperwork. He didn't see what was happening. And that's when the guy pointed a gun at him. And he just yelled something, like he was surprised, like 'Yo!' and that's when I heard three shots rang out."

Police say the suspect, covering his faces with a hoodie, shot Sillah several times before fleeing on the bicycle. Mwewa said he gave chase, but was unable to catch anyone or see any faces because of the hoodies.

Sillah was pronounced dead at St. Barnabas Hospital.

""I just want justice for this guy," Mwewa said. "I hope they find the person who did it...This guy, he's the most honest person I've ever come across. That's why whoever did this, you gotta try to find the guy. This guy worked so hard. He probably has a family that's depending on him. So this guy is a really, really good guy."

Police are looking at surveillance video they recovered from the scene.

Sillah's family said he only started working at the gas station 10 days ago, and that the came to U.S. with a student Visa from Gambia just 10 months ago to get more education. Roommate and cousin Mohommad Kijera was devastated.

"We sleep together, you know, we eat together, anything, we do it together," he said. "In that sense, he wasn't lonley. But now I'm lonely."

No arrests were immediately made.

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Suspect sought in attempted luring in Tenafly

Sketch of Tenafly luring suspect (WABC Photo)

  Eyewitness NewsTENAFLY (WABC) -- Tenafly police are investigating a report of an attempted luring on Engle Street, north of East Clinton Avenue.

Police say two girls, ages 6 and 10, were playing in their driveway on Saturday morning when they observed a "large white pick-up truck" driving slowly northbound on Engle Street, park along the curb.

The vehicle was described as similar to a Chevrolet Silverado Crew or Extended Cab pickup.

Investigators said the suspect exited his vehicle, walked across the street onto the girls' property, and said, "Hey, come here." The children ran into their house and told their mother, who then called 911.

The girls described the suspect as a white male with brown hair, approximately 30 years old, 6'0" tall, wearing a long sleeve white button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his forearms. He was also wearing dark blue jeans. He did not have any facial hair, nor any glasses.

The girls said that the man did not speak with an accent. They both stated, "he spoke normally."

Anyone with similar incidents or further information, should please contact Detective Sgt Kopesky at (201) 568-5100.

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Chilling video released in Queens attempted rape

  Jennifer Matarese, Eyewitness NewsNEW YORK (WABC) -- Police in Queens are searching for a suspect wanted for two rapes and an attempted rape in Jamaica.

The first rape happened on October 13 at 3 a.m. near Merrick Boulevard.

Police say the suspect grabbed the 20-year-old victim from behind, forced her behind a dumpster at the location and raped her.

The second rape happened on November 15 at 1 a.m. near 142nd Street.

In that incident, police say the suspect stated to the 27-year-old victim that he had a gun before forcibly raping her.

The third incident, which was caught on surveillance video, took place on December 7 at 2 a.m. near 154th Street.

The video shows the suspect walking up behind the woman and placing a sharp object to her back. Police say he then pulled her behind a residence and attempted to rape her. She fought back and was able to escape.

The suspect is described as a black man between the ages of 25 and 30. He is approximately 5-foot-5 and weighs about 220 pounds.

He was last seen wearing a black pull over hooded sweatshirt and a white and blue striped scarf.

Anyone with information in regards to any of these incidents is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS.

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