One in custody following Washington robbery
An alert witness outside a Washington convenience store that was robbed Tuesday morning provided city police with the description of a getaway vehicle, which police said was found parked outside the suspect’s West End home.
James M. Kerns, 35, of 555 Addison St., was taken into custody at his home about two hours after the robbery at Nick’s Tobacco Outlet and Convenience store, 595 Jefferson Ave.
A clerk at Nick’s said a man, later identified by police as Kerns, walked into the store just after 10 a.m. and asked about milk. After being shown what was available, the man left. He then returned wearing orange gloves and approached the clerk at the desk. The man allegedly pointed a black, semi-automatic handgun at the clerk’s face and demanded money. The clerk complied, and the man fled with the cash.
A witness told police that she saw a man run from the store and get into a white pickup truck. The truck fled west on Factory Way. While searching the area, Sgt. Carl Martin spotted a truck matching the description outside 555 Addison, said police Chief Robert Wilson.
Police could see a man inside the house, but he would not come out. Kerns would not respond to police, who were calling over a loudspeaker and trying to reach him by telephone.
When Kerns’ girlfriend arrived, she was able to contact him by telephone. Martin talked with Kerns and persuaded him to come outside and surrender to police.
Kerns allegedly admitted to the robbery. Police said they found him with a large amount of cash, and a 9mm handgun was found at his home. Orange gloves were found in a kitchen trash can, police said.
This is the latest in a rash of robberies in the Washington area this month. State police do not believe Kerns is connected with the Jan. 22 robbery of the Dollar General store on Henderson Avenue in Canton Township. South Strabane Township police have not determined if he is a suspect in the Jan. 19 robbery of the BP station at Murtland and North avenues. The 7-Eleven on West Chestnut Street in North Franklin Township was robbed by three men Jan. 17.
Kerns was arraigned before District Judge Robert Redlinger on charges of robbery, aggravated assault, person not to possess a gun, and carrying a firearm without a license. He was placed in Washington County jail on $50,000 bond. Kerns is scheduled for a Feb. 12 preliminary hearing before Redlinger.