NJ Man Gets 9 Years In Prison For Beating, Robbing Gas Station Clerk

ELIZABETH, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) - A northern New Jersey man who beat a gas station attendant during a robbery has been sentenced to nine years in prison.

Union County prosecutors say 41-year-old Matthew Potter, of Elizabeth, must serve about eight years before he becomes eligible for parole.

The May 2013 robbery occurred in Elizabeth.

Prosecutors say Potter grabbed the attendant by the neck and took money from his pocket. He then threw the attendant down and demanded more money.

When the attendant said he didn't have any more cash, Potter punched and kicked him and banged his head against the floor. He then put his foot on the attendant's throat and continued to demand more money, threatening to kill him if he declined.

Potter eventually fled with several hundred dollars.

Police and the prosecutor's office started an investigation and Potter was found and arrested less than a month following the crime.

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