Somerset man charged in another robbery

A Somerset Township man already awaiting trial in connection with the robberies of three Bentleyville businesses last month was arraigned Thursday for a fourth robbery.
Robert Petrick Jr., 22, of 169 Almond Road, was arraigned before District Judge Robert Redlinger on charges of robbery, theft, receiving stolen property and simple assault in the Jan. 4 robbery of Kwik Fill, Routes 136 and 519, Somerset Township. That holdup was actually the first Petrick allegedly committed.
Petrick is accused of entering the store and pointing what appeared to be a handgun at an employee. Police said he demanded money and was given about $90, then fled south on Route 519, driving a 2014 Dodge Avenger reported stolen in West Virginia earlier that day.
Later that day, he allegedly robbed the BP station at 204 Wilson Road, Bentleyville. Two days later, he allegedly tried to rob The Medicine Shoppe, 808 Main St., Bentleyville, and then allegedly robbed Jets Food Center a few blocks away at 506 Main. He was arrested a short time later after state police tracked footprints in the snow into a wooded area.
Last month, Petrick waived a preliminary hearing on charges of robbery, simple assault, theft and disorderly conduct filed in connection with those robberies. The prosecution agreed to reduce his bond from $750,000 to $75,000. He was released from Washington County jail Jan. 23 after posting bond. He is scheduled for formal arraignment on those charges March 24.
Redlinger set a $75,000 unsecured bond on the latest charges. Petrick will have a preliminary hearing March 3 before District Judge Curtis Thompson.