Wind Ridge store robbed at gunpoint
Bob Niedbala/Observer-reporter State police Cpl. Brian Shuba escorts Willie Jones Thursday to an arraignment before District Judge Lou Dayich in Waynesburg
State police investigated an armed robbery at the Stokes General Store in Wind Ridge Thursday afternoon.
WIND RIDGE – He was a “regular customer” and so it was not unusual when Willie W. Jones stopped at Stokes General Store in Wind Ridge about 1:15 p.m. Thursday.
Jones asked the store clerk to use the phone to call his mother and father, said store owner Diane Stokes. He also asked if he could borrow a pen and a piece of paper. He returned the paper with something written on it to the effect of “hand over the money or I’ll shoot,” according to Stokes.
Stokes said she was in the store taking care of another customer when the robbery occurred. According to Stokes, Jones showed the clerk a gun while the clerk was holding her 26-day-old child. The child became fussy while the clerk was waiting on another customer and the clerk took the child, she said.
Stokes said the clerk, who did not wish to be named, gave Jones a few $20s and he asked for more, but the clerk said, “‘No, that’s enough,’ and he left.”
Jones, 23, of 142 Kuhn Hill Road, Wind Ridge, was arraigned by state police before District Judge Lou Dayich at 5:45 p.m. Thursday on charges of robbery, theft and simple assault.
Before the robbery, a neighbor, who said she saw Jones park his vehicle nearby and walk toward the store, became suspicious and jotted down the license plate number, Stokes said. Following the robbery, the neighbor called the store and gave her the information, she said.
Police said, based on information they received from the clerk and neighbor, they went to Jones’ residence. Police said they saw his vehicle, a dark-colored Jeep Cherokee, at the home.
Police said a small, black toy revolver was found in his waistband and $400 in $20 was in his wallet. Jones was then taken into custody.
“He was a regular customer. He came in with a gun, we know him,” Stokes said. “Right before, he asked us to use the phone.”
He also stole the pen, she said.
“I just want to punch him,” Stokes said.
Jones was placed in Greene County jail on $100,000 bond and faces a preliminary hearing at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday.