Monessen man arraigned in Washington robbery attempt
A Monessen man accused of trying to rob a Washington convenience store last April was arraigned Thursday on a charge of attempted robbery.
Shane A. Kovatch, 32, was arraigned by video from Westmoreland County jail by District Judge Robert Redlinger.
Kovatch is accused of trying to rob Uni-Mart, 336 E. Maiden St., in the early morning hours of April 11.
The clerk working at the time told police a white man about 6 feet to 6 feet 4 inches tall wearing a red hooded sweatshirt entered the store. The robber reportedly handed the clerk a note that read, “There is a gun on me. I am asking politely for register money so I don’t have to hurt anyone. Put it in the bag.”
The clerk did not comply with the robber’s demand, but instead called 911. He also refused to open the register. The robber fled on foot in an unknown direction. No gun was seen during the robbery attempt.
Police obtained surveillance images from the store that showed a man wearing a red hooded shirt with a white logo on the front. Washington police Officer Johnathan Miller and Cpl. Von Lacock both identified Kovatch as the robber. The two knew Kovatch through previous law enforcement interactions. The clerk, however, was not able to identify Kovatch when shown a photo lineup with eight photographs.
Kovath is currently serving a Westmoreland County sentence of 6 to 23 months after pleading guilty last year to charges of theft and receiving stolen property. He was arrested last year by Monessen police.
Redlinger set bond at $10,000 on the Washington charge. Kovatch is scheduled for a Jan. 29 preliminary hearing before Redlinger.