Police in Pottsville have filed charges against one of the two suspects in a strong-arm robbery at the 7-Eleven store last month.
According to court documents, Benjamin Rosario, 26, of Saint Clair, turned himself in to police on April 30, a little more than a week after the reported robbery occurred at the convenience store in the city.
Back on April 22, at about 3:40 p.m., police arrived at 7-Eleven after a man said he was robbed at the ATM inside the store. The victim said two Hispanic men – one skinny and the other, heavyset – began heckling him as he attempted to withdraw cash.
The heavyset suspect reportedly said to the victim, “Did $40 come out of that ATM? That’s my money.” The victim that no money had come out of the machine and he was trying to complete his transaction.
That same heavyset suspect then reportedly pushed the victim away from the ATM and took $100 that he was withdrawing. The victim told police it was his last $100 for the month.
Rosario and the other suspect both fled the scene. The victim attempted to give chase. Rosario went to his vehicle while the heavyset suspect fled on foot.
After turning himself in, Rosario said he didn’t know the other suspect. He was an “unknown co-worker” who had previously asked him for a ride to the Turkey Hill in Port Carbon after they finished work. On the way there, he asked Rosario to stop at the 7-Eleven to use the WiFi.
Rosario and his co-worker went into the store together. The heavyset suspect said the ATM at 7-Eleven didn’t give him money so they went to CVS. The ATM transaction there also resulted in $0 dispensed. So, they then went to Dunkin’ in Pottsville and then back to 7-Eleven.
Rosario reportedly told police that his co-worker took the money from the victim but said it was only $40, not $100 as the victim claimed.
After his co-worker took the money, Rosario said he got in his vehicle and drove away because he didn’t want to be part of the heist. The co-worker fled on foot east on E. Norwegian St.
Police have charged Rosario with conspiracy to commit robbery and conspiracy to receive stolen property, both third-degree felonies. Rosario was arraigned before District Magistrate Judge James Reiley on the afternoon of April 30 and released on $25,000 unsecured bail. A preliminary hearing is currently scheduled for May 5.
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