Published: August 13, 2007 11:51 pm            

Pair jailed in armed robbery of convenience store

NEW LEXINGTON — Two men are jailed for allegedly stealing $440 from a Middlecreek Township convenience store.

In a court document, state police at Somerset said 18-year-old Jesse Paul Brewer of Gary Road, Rockwood, and 20-year-old William Jon Hinkle II of Kelly Road, Garrett, robbed New Lexington Market on July 25.

The pair were caught after investigators reviewed a store surveillance video.

Brewer allegedly entered the Scullton Road store wearing a ski mask and carrying a 9 mm handgun, then demanded money and cigarettes from a female cashier.

The video showed that the robber was about 6 feet 2 inches tall with a husky build, wearing shorts, gloves, a hat, a hooded sweatshirt and a ski mask. He left the store with $440 in cash and cigarettes valued at $165.

Troopers said Hinkle drove the getaway car, a Saturn, which had been parked behind a barn on a dirt road near the store.

Hinkle told investigators Brewer had picked him up in Morgantown, W.Va., and a handgun was in the car. He believed the gun was empty when Brewer robbed the store. Brewer was inside for two to three minutes, police said.

The pair then drove to Brewer’s home, troopers said, adding that both men admitted to participating in the robbery.

They were arraigned Sunday by Somerset District Judge Arthur Cook on robbery and related charges. The suspects were sent to Somerset County Jail, where each is being held on $25,000 bond.

        

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