Two arrested in McDonald robbery
A McDonald couple were arrested Monday by borough police the day after they allegedly robbed a sandwich shop across the street from their apartment.
Jarrett Matthew Short, 20, and Ashley N. Bookser, 20, both of 103 W. Lincoln Ave., are accused of robbing the Subway, 108 W. Lincoln, just after 9 p.m. Sunday.
Police were called to the restaurant for a report of an armed robbery. A suspect armed with a gun was seen leaving the back of the store with cash from the register.
A witness told police he noticed the back door to the business was open for about 15 minutes. He saw a silver car parked on Grant Street, blocking the alley at the rear of Subway.
A woman was at the wheel and appeared to be texting on her cellphone. A short time later, a man came running toward the car holding a dark jacket in his left hand and dark duffel bag in his right hand. He reportedly threw the jacket on the ground before getting in to the car, which fled north on North Street. The witness recognized Bookser as the driver. Her relatives also confirmed to police the description matched that of her car and she lived on West Lincoln with her boyfriend.
Police checked surveillance video and saw a suspect, later identified as Short, enter the restaurant wearing dark clothing, gloves, bandana and sunglasses. He was carrying a duffel bag or bookbag. A store employee was placing money in the bag while Short took money from the safe. Police said it appeared Short knew the location of the cameras and they learned he once worked at the restaurant.
Police found the car about 1:30 a.m. Monday parked on North Street. Officers went to the couple’s apartment about 3 a.m. after earlier trying to locate Bookser and Short.
Short opened the door and the two were taken into custody. They gave police permission to search for drugs and paraphernalia after officers spotted a suspected marijuana pipe on the floor. Police found empty stamp bags of suspected heroin along with Suboxone and a receipt from Wal-Mart dated 9:37 p.m. Sunday.
After spotting a dark duffel bag near the door, police obtained a warrant to search the apartment and car.
After initially lying about the sequence of events, Short confessed. He also claimed to have dumped the money in a sewer near where a friend lived in Heidelberg and tossed the bookbag he carried during the robbery in a garbage can. Bookser also gave police a statement, telling police that she “went with it because she always does whatever he says” in reference to Short.
Police are continuing their investigation and would not rule out an additional arrest.
Short is charged with burglary, robbery, criminal trespass, theft, receiving stolen property and possession of drug paraphernalia. Bookser faces the same charges in addition to possession of a narcotic and underage drinking. Both were arraigned before District Judge Robert Redlinger and placed in Washington County jail on $25,000 bond.