Motel clerks robbed at knifepoint
Two clerks working the front desk overnight at a South Strabane Township motel were robbed at knifepoint early Wednesday.
Township police were called about 2:35 a.m. to Motel 6, just off North Avenue, for a report of a strong-arm robbery involving a man with a knife.
One of the clerks told police that she working with the second clerk to train her in the job. She said the robber came in through the front door and walked up to the front desk where they were working. He showed the clerk a knife and said “Give me everything.” The trainee reportedly gave him all the bills in the drawer.
After the robbery, the suspect fled on foot in the direction of Murtland Avenue. He is white, about 6 feet to 6 feet, 1inch, tall. He wore a black mask over his face and a black, hooded shirt over a blue shirt. A clerk told police the robber may have had long, dark hair that was pulled back. She described the knife as being shank-style with a blade that was four to five inches in length.
Detective Ken Torboli said the department is working with the management at the motel to get surveillance video.
This is the second robbery where the culprit used a knife in the last 10 days. State police obtained a warrant Monday for the arrest of Kenneth James Haskey Jr., 29, of Washington. He is charged with robbery, aggravated assault and theft the Jan. 16 robbery of Interstate Foodland, 1920 W. Chestnut St.
“They seem to be using anything they have at their disposal as a weapon,” Torboli said. “And that makes them dangerous.”
Anyone who may have information on the robbery or saw a man running in the area is asked to call township police at 724-225-8111.