Robbery suspect faces more charges
A hearing for a Washington man accused of shooting a convenience store clerk in the leg during a robbery earlier this year and robbing a Canton Township convenience store was continued Wednesday as prosecutors said more charges are pending.
Shayne Charles Coffield, 23, of 247 W. Hallam Ave., is now facing robbery and other charges that will be filed by South Strabane Township police for allegedly robbing a Four Star Pizza delivery driver at gunpoint March 9. Township police Detective Ken Torboli said the driver was robbed after making a delivery in the 200 block of East Maiden Street.
Coffield had been scheduled for a preliminary hearing in Central Court before District Judge Curtis Thompson.
Coffield is charged by Washington police with attempted homicide, robbery, aggravated assault, simple assault and a firearms violation for the March 27 robbery at the Uni-Mart on East Maiden Street. A clerk was shot in the left leg.
State police charged him with robbery, theft, terroristic threats and simple assault for the Jan. 21 holdup at Isaly’s, 2400 Jefferson Ave., Canton.
Assistant District Attorney Chad Schneider asked Thompson for the continuance because of the new charges expected to be filed this week. He also said the clerk who was shot was unable to appear in court Wednesday because of illness.
Amanda Como, court-appointed counsel for Coffield, told Thompson she objected to the continuance request, telling the judge everyone was aware of the court date.
Christopher Pitzarella, 23, of Washington, Coffield’s alleged co-defendant in the Uni-Mart robbery, and Michael Steinstraw Jr., 26, of Canton, Coffield’s alleged accomplice in the Isaly’s robbery, both waived their cases to court last month. Torboli said the two men also will be charged in the robbery of the delivery driver.
Coffield’s hearing has been rescheduled for Wednesday in Central Court.