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Area robbery suspect returned to custody

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A Somerset Township man charged with robbing a convenience store with a toy gun and briefly escaping from police the day of his arrest is back in custody.

Robert W. Petrick Jr., 23, of 159 Almond Road, was arraigned before District Judge Mark Wilson Friday and placed in Washington County jail on $100,000 bond.

A warrant for Petrick’s arrest on a charge of escape was signed Monday by District Judge Curtis Thompson.

According to Petrick’s attorney, Peter Marcoline, Petrick appeared at a bond revocation hearing at 9:30 a.m. Friday morning before Judge Gary Gilman. Marcoline said Petrick came to the hearing because he knew there was a warrant for his arrest. Petrick was advised in court he would be taken into custody.

After the Sunoco at routes 136 and 519 in Somerset Township was robbed at gunpoint June 23, police drove to Petrick’s residence, where they said the engine on the suspected getaway vehicle was still warm. Petrick allegedly ran from state troopers when they went to retrieve the bandana and toy gun he allegedly used in the robbery, the affidavit states. A trooper was able to apprehend him.

Petrick was awaiting sentencing that day in Washington County Court for robbing three Bentleyville businesses in January 2015 and a convenience store across the street from the Somerset Sunoco a month later.

Petrick was released from Washington County jail June 29 after he posted his $50,000 bond in the robbery case. According to Marcoline, Petrick has appeared at all of his hearings while on bond.

The bond revocation hearing will be rescheduled for next week.

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