Edison man accused of Woodbridge robberies

• Joshua James Pawlak, 27, who is believed to have been staying in the Hopelawn section of the township, has been charged.

WOODBRIDGE – An Edison man, accused of attempted robberies at four township businesses over two days last week, resulting in just $2 taken from a tip jar, has been arrested.

Joshua James Pawlak, 27, who is believed to have been staying in the Hopelawn section of the township, has been charged with three counts of attempted robbery, three counts of possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, three counts of unlawful possession of a weapon and one count of theft by unlawful taking. He was taken to the Middlesex County Adult Corrections Center in North Brunswick, where he was being held on $50,000 bail, with no 10 percent down payment.

According to Police Capt. Roy Hoppock, a man entered the Forge Inn, on Route 9 North, at about 12:02 p.m. July 27 and asked about the rate for a hotel room and then left after learning the price. A short time later, the man returned, armed with a knife and allegedly attempted to rob the clerk but fled without getting any money.

The man fled toward a wooded area off Bunns Lane, where New Jersey State Police canine units and police searched but were unable to find him, police said.

At 6:39 p.m., the same man entered La Bonbonniere bakery on Amboy Avenue several times and at one point removed a tip jar containing about $2 before fleeing the shop.

The following day, at about 4:20 a.m., the same man allegedly armed with a knife attempted to rob the Hess Express service station on West Pond Road in Hopelawn. Police said the man fled without getting any money. Police searched but were unable to locate him.

At 10:06 a.m., police said the same individual armed with a knife allegedly attempted to rob the 7-Eleven store on West Pond Road, Hopelawn, and again fled without getting any money.

Police searched the area and located Pawlak a short time later. He was arrested and transported to police headquarters.

Staff Writer Suzanne Russell: 732-565-7335; srussell@mycentraljersey.com