The man accused of armed robbery at a downtown Pottsville business over the weekend allegedly pulled a gun on and assaulted a man the day prior at the same location.
According to court documents, police in Pottsville were dispatched to Eagle Tavern on E. Norwegian St. shortly after 9 a.m. on Sept. 26 for a report of an assault by a man armed with a gun.
Police say they spoke with the victim of this alleged incident, both the day of the incident and then again two days later, who told them that he is a cook at the pub. He said he showed up to work on the morning of the 26th when he was approached by a taller black man wearing a black facemask, black jacket, and black pants.
The victim told police that the man – later identified as 37-year-old Matthew Bailey – had pulled a gun on him in Logan Alley, which runs alongside Eagle Tavern. He said when Bailey pulled a gun on him, he covered his face and feared he’d be shot.
Bailey allegedly yelled something at the victim but the victim said he didn’t understand what was said. He said he turned to run away but Bailey hit him in the back of the head with a metal object, which caused him to fall to the ground.
The victim told police he got up from off the ground and began to physically fight Bailey, who then Fled the area on foot toward W. Arch St.
Police say a baseball-sized “goonie” on the back of the victim’s head, which was sensitive to the touch.
Bailey is also accused of pulling an armed robbery at Eagle Tavern on Sept. 27. (READ ABOUT THAT INCIDENT HERE: Suspected Armed Robbery at Downtown Pottsville Business Results in Arrest of Philadelphia Man)
Related to the incident on the 26th, Bailey has been charged with aggravated assault, illegal gun possession, possessing a gun without a license, making terroristic threats, and simple assault. Bail was set at $25,000 on this case.
In relation to the armed robbery incident on the 27th, Bailey has been charged with robbery, possessing a gun with an altered serial number, making terroristic threats, receiving stolen property, simple assault, theft, and prohibited possession of a firearm. Bail was set at $50,000 cash in that case and Bailey is currently a resident of Schuylkill County Prison.
Police say there were four similar incidents in as many days in the same area and Bailey is a suspect in each. Charges have only been filed so far for incidents on Sept. 26th and 27th.
NOTE: In the original report on the suspected armed robbery, Bailey is listed with a Philadelphia address. He’s got a Pottsville address in the latest charging documents related to the alleged incident on the 26th.
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