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Police apprehend robbery suspect

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Renee Bell

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North Strabane Township police are investigating a robbery at Thomas Station Market on Thursday. Police said a woman pushed the husband of the store owner to the floor and grabbed cash from his hand. Renee Bell, 53, of Eighty Four, was taken into custody later in the day.

The North Strabane woman accused of robbing a township convenience store Thursday morning as well as stealing from family and acquaintances was arrested at her home late in the day.

Renee Bell, 53, of 60 Carl Ave., Lot C-50, Eighty Four, was taken into custody about 4:45 p.m. after police received a tip that she was at her home, Officer Matthew Mancini said.

Bell is accused of robbing the Thomas Station Market at 633 Thomas Road about 11:10 a.m. She reportedly distracted the husband of the store owner who was working the counter, opened the cash register and grabbed the money. He confronted Bell and took back the money.

There was a struggle between the two, Mancini said. She pushed him back and he fell to the floor. She grabbed the money and then pulled the cord out of the telephone when he tried to call 911 before she ran out of the store in the direction of Linden Road. The man had a minor arm injury.

Mancini and his K-9, Drago, tracked her path to Linden Road, where it ended. He believes she was either picked up or had parked a vehicle in the area. Mancini said there were dozens of people outside the nearby Thomas Presbyterian Church, but no one saw the suspect, so he does not believe she went that way.

Mancini said she was taken into custody without incident. Bell gave police consent to search her house. Police found syringes and a small amount of money in the residence.

Bell is also wanted on seven warrants obtained last week by township police Officer Michael Lukanski on five counts of theft, four counts of receiving stolen property and three counts of possession of drug paraphernalia stemming from incidents in April, July, August and as recently as Sept. 15. She is accused of stealing money from her family and acquaintances.

Bell reportedly admitted to police that she is addicted to heroin.

“It is best for her own safety that she is off the streets,” Mancini said.

Mancini said she is being charged with two counts of robbery and one count each of theft, receiving stolen property, simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct in connection with Thursday’s robbery.

Bell is awaiting a Nov. 17 formal arraignment after she was ordered held for court Sept. 1 on a charge of fraudulently obtaining food stamps in August of 2014. She is scheduled to be arraigned on the robbery-related charges as well as the outstanding warrants late Thursday before District Judge Jay Weller and placed in Washington County Jail on $120,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 1 before Weller.

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