North Strabane police catch robbery suspect
A Canonsburg man accused of robbing a North Strabane Township convenience store Wednesday afternoon was apprehended after township police, with assistance from other departments and the Cecil Township K-9 unit, tracked him through woods to a nearby home.
Rostraver Township police also charged two people in connection with an attempted robbery early Thursday at the GetGo at 4285 Route 51. The two also are accused in Monday’s robbery at the Exxon 70, Rostraver Road, and suspected in a robbery Sunday at CoGo’s, 5100 Route 51.
Andrew Augustniak-Duncan, 20, of 1321 Lucia Drive, is accused of robbing TJ’s Deli Mart, 2601 Washington Road (Route 19).
Wendy Jean Victor, 22, who Rostraver police said is homeless, and Charles Leonard Bell, 50, of 321 Mill St., Brownsville, are charged in the Rostraver robberies. Bell also is charged with aggravated assault for allegedly crashing his vehicle into a Rostraver police cruiser trying to escape arrest.
In the North Strabane robbery, police said officers surrounded the house where Augustniak-Duncan was believed to be. They said he fled, scaled a five-foot fence and ran through woods to Route 19, where he was taken into custody by township police Investigator Nathan Terling.
North Strabane Officers Daniel O’Leary and Matthew Schmeltz were near the deli mart when a 911 dispatcher broadcast the robbery about 3:42 p.m. and gave a description of the robber. The two officers went to the store and learned the suspect ran into a wooded area in the direction of DiCio Street. The clerk told officers the robber pushed her and stole money, cigarettes and cigars.
O’Leary and Schmeltz were joined by officers from Canonsburg, Cecil and Chartiers townships and the state game commission. Cecil Officer Jeff Holt and his K-9, Miner, began a track in the area that led to the front yard of a home in the 200 block of DiCio Street. Police placed a perimeter around the house.
The homeowner told police the only people she knew of who were in her house were her son and his friend. They left the house, and the homeowner gave police permission to search the residence. Police entered the home. In the basement, they found a pair of jeans with grass and mud stains on them, along with a gray and plaid sweatshirt that matched the description of the clothing worn by the robber. The homeowner’s son told police Augustniak-Duncan was hiding in the house. Police again searched for him, but could not locate the suspect.
Terling entered the house to gather evidence. O’Leary then heard the investigator yell, “He is running,” and saw the suspect escaping the house. Augustniak-Duncan was quickly apprehended.
Township police Lt. Kris Wagstaff said officers received information from witnesses that corroborated where the suspect ran after the robbery. One witness told police he saw a man matching the robber’s description run past his house to the deli. About 30 minutes later, he saw the same man run through the woods and into the fenced area around the house where Augustniak-Duncan was hiding.
“We can’t do this alone,” Wagstaff said of the assistance from the public. “Now, we don’t have him robbing five other stores.”
Rostraver police were on patrol early Thursday when they spotted a vehicle believed used in the attempted GetGo robbery going east on Finley Road. Police activated their emergency lights and sirens in an attempt to stop the vehicle. The car turned into a lot and the driver apparently tried to turn around and flee. The driver, later identified as Bell, backed into the police cruiser.
Bell was removed from the vehicle. He allegedly thrashed around, pulled away from the two officers, and punched and kicked them. Both officers sustained cuts and bruises.
Victor reportedly told police she went into the GetGo earlier that morning to use the restroom and check out the store.
Two people matching the descriptions of Bell and Victor are also suspected of robbing a Sunoco station in Charleroi early Monday.
The three robberies were among several recently in the area, including one early Monday at the Circle K at 860 Henderson Ave. in Canton Township.
State police Trooper Thomas Kress, who is investigating that robbery, said police received an updated description of the suspected getaway vehicle. It is believed to be a teal, older-model Ford LTD or Mercury Marquis-type vehicle. The robber is described as a black man, about 5 feet, 6 inches to 5 feet, 7 inches tall, with a stocky build. He wore a gray hooded jacket or sweatshirt, dark gray shirt and black or dark pants with tan boots or shoes. Anyone with information is asked to call state police at 724-223-5200.
Augustniak-Duncan was arraigned before District Judge Gary Havelka on charges of robbery, flight to avoid apprehension, simple assault, theft, reckless endangerment, retail theft, receiving stolen property, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. He was placed in Washington County jail on $10,000 bond. A preliminary hearing will be scheduled before District Judge Jay Weller.
Bell and Victor were arraigned before District Judge Charles Christner. Bell is charged with robbery, terroristic threats, simple assault, receiving stolen property, attempted robbery, aggravated assault, simple assault, resisting arrest, reckless endangerment, fleeing or attempting to elude police and criminal mischief. He was placed in Westmoreland County jail on $500,000 bond. Victor is charged with two counts of conspiracy. She was jailed on $200,000 bond.