WEST MILFORD A 24-year-old Butler man was arrested on charges stemming from an armed robbery at the McDonald’s on Marshall Hill Road, where the suspect had formerly worked. According to the police, a white male brandishing a knife and a handgun entered the McDonald’s early in the morning on Sunday, May 21. He was wearing a black stocking over his head, dark clothing, gloves and was carrying a backpack. He ordered two employees to the rear of the store at gunpoint, where the manager was working. The suspect then ordered the employees into the walk-in freezer, tied the manager up with duct tape and took the cash that was in the safe. There was reportedly in excess of $3,000 in the safe. The robber fled through a back door, but none of the witnesses heard or saw a car when he left. After the suspect fled, the manager freed himself from the duct tape and let his employees out of the freezer before calling police. Through an anonymous source, the police ascertained that the robbery suspect was Jason D. Startley, 24, of 108-B Arch St. in Butler. The police alerted surrounding communities and the Butler Police Department responded to 108 Arch St. with assistance from Bloomingdale and Riverdale Police departments. Jason Startley was found to be at home and was arrested without incident. Further investigation by the West Milford Police Department revealed that Startley had been at the McDonald’s several times earlier in the week. He had also made several phone calls to the establishment inquiring as to closing times and employees who were working. Police also found out Startley had been employed at the McDonald’s several years ago and was familiar with store layout and procedures. Startley had been at the McDonald’s earlier in the day on May 21 and had disabled the lock on the side emergency door of the establishment. It was through this door that he entered to commit the robbery. The West Milford Police recovered two plastic toy handguns and a combat knife from the trunk of a vehicle parked on the property at 108 Arch St. Also recovered from the vehicle were items of clothing worn by Startley when he committed the robbery. A backpack containing over $2,300, a black stocking and other items of clothing were recovered from Startley’s residence. Startley was charged by Detective Robert Congleton of the West Milford Police Department with one count of armed robbery, a first degree crime, one count of possession of a weapon, a second degree crime, and one count of possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, a third degree crime. If convicted of these offenses, Startley faces up to 50 years in prison and over $200,000 in fines. Bail was set at $7,500.00 with no 10 percent option by Judge Cocoran of the West Milford Municipal Court. Startley is presently in the Passaic County Jail. The investigation is ongoing by the West Milford Police Department Detective Bureau. Startley may be charged with additional offenses involving this incident. Detective Robert Congleton is investigating, assisted by Det./Lt Peter Van Gilst. Patrolmen John Pesenti and George Richnavsky assisted also. Detective Monroe of the Passaic County Sheriff’s Dept. CSI Unit assisted in processing the crime scene. Butler Police Officers Moeller and Beyloune also assisted.