Knife-Wielding Restaurant Staff Thwart Armed Robbery Attempt

An armed Maplewood teen's attempt to rob a local Chinese restaurant Saturday was thwarted by the knife-wielding kitchen staff, police said.

The underage teen wore a covering over his face when he entered Hunan Wok on Springfield Avenue and pointed a handgun at the restaurant's staff at about 11 p.m. Saturday, police said.

The teen demanded the staff put money inside of a backpack, police said.

Police were able to track the teen back to a home on Colgate Road where they found a black BB gun along with the clothing used in the attempted robbery, according to the report.

The teen was charged with robbery, possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

He was then transported to the Essex County Juvenile Detention Center.