Robbery suspect arrested in two cases and denied bail
A homeless man was arrested Monday for allegedly robbing two Uniontown stores, one Monday night and one April 11.
Anthony Richard Susano, 35, was arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge Mike Defino Jr. and denied bail because he is homeless and reportedly committed two violent crimes in a short time period, according to court documents.
According to the affidavit of probable cause filed in his case, Susano held employee Jody Smith at knife point at Five Corners Beer at 127 W. Fayette St. at about 7:15 p.m., Monday, demanding money. She told police he was pacing outside the store and came inside when customers left. She told police he picked up a black drawstring bag as he left and walked south down the Rotary Walk. She called 911 and told Michael Sanner at Five Corners Ink next door what had happened, and he followed the suspect down the trail. Uniontown City Police officers took Susano into custody without incident and reportedly found him with a large sum of loose money, a knife and clothing, both matching the description of information Smith gave them.
Susano reportedly confessed to that robbery and a second robbery at Walgreen’s during the interview with police.
In the affidavit filed in the second robbery case, Susano allegedly entered the 180 W. Main St. store at about 6 p.m. and asked cashier Nathaniel Simmons for cigarettes. When the cash register drawer was opened, Susano allegedly said he had a gun and demanded money. Simmons told police he did not see a gun. The suspect fled toward St. Vincent de Paul.
Susano is charged with robbery, theft, simple assault and receiving stolen property in both cases. He is facing an additional count of possession of a weapon in Monday’s case.
His preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled for 1:30 p.m. May 1 before Defino.