Another city business robbed
A former Bridgeville woman who was reportedly staying at a Washington halfway house was arrested Friday by Washington police after she allegedly robbed two West End businesses at knifepoint within a 25-hour period from Wednesday to Thursday night.
Stacey Hughes, 45, was taken into custody about 6 p.m. in the 900 block of Jefferson Avenue after city police received a tip about her wherabouts. Detective Dan Rush said they were able to identify her as the suspect earlier in the day through the cooperation of the victims and other merchants who shared video surveillance.
Hughes is accused of robbing 7-Eleven at 375 W. Chestnut St., about 10 p.m. Wednesday and West End Bottle Shop, 20 Cumberland Ave., just off West Chestnut about a block from the convenience store about 11 p.m. Thursday. Rush said Hughes gave police a confession.
A woman identified Friday as Hughes entered the 7-Eleven and milled about before going up to the counter with a can of iced tea. After paying for it, she reportedly pulled out a knife, put it on the counter and demanded cash as well as a carton of Newport cigarettes. She then allegedly ordered the clerk to lie on the floor behind the counter. Hughes is accused of tying the clerk’s hands with duct tape before fleeing without the knife or cigarettes but taking the cash. Rush said the clerk was able to free herself and call police.
Hughes reportedly walked into the West End Bottle Shop on Cumberland Avenue, just off West Chestnut Street, about 11 p.m. and robbed it, stealing cash and a 12-pack of beer.
The clerk told police the woman entered the shop about 10:50 p.m. and walked to the cooler where she selected a 12-pack of Budweiser. She returned that 12-pack and took a 12-pack of Yuengling.
The woman then waited for a customer to leave before going to the cash register. Police said she walked behind the counter and pulled out a knife with a 12-inch blade from either her hooded shirt or waistband of her pants, police said. She then reportedly told the clerk to open the cash register, reached inside and grabbed the cash. She then ran from the shop, going around the north side of the building with the cash and beer. She is seen on surveillance video dropping the knife and some of the cash before going out of the camera’s view.
The shop’s owner told police the woman, now identified as Hughes, was in his business about 3 p.m. Thursday with two other women. He was able to identify one of her companions.
Hughes is expected to be arraigned late Friday or early today before District Judge Gary Havelka on charges of robbery and conspiracy.
This is not the first time that Hughes has been charged with robbery. She was sentenced to 11 to 23 months in jail on charges including robbery, aggravated assault and theft in connection with the Nov. 22, 2012 robbery at a Dollar General in Braddock, Allegheny County. She was also placed on probation for four years during her Sept. 3, 2013 sentencing.
North Franklin Township police continue to investigate a robbery that also happened Wednesday night at Sunshine Food Mart on West Chestnut Street by a man claiming to have a gun.
Anyone with information on the North Franklin robbery is asked to call 911.