Arrest warrant issued for Mt. Morris robbery
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a Dunkard Township man who allegedly robbed the Belco Food Store in Mt. Morris July 8, threatening a clerk and a store patron with a knife.
Jerry Paul Pugh Sr., 48, of 114 Presock Road, allegedly robbed the store about 11 a.m., jumping on the counter and ordering the clerk to open the cash register. While he was removing money from the register, state police said, Pugh was accosted by a store patron who began hitting him in the head and face with a rolled-up newspaper. Pugh threatened to stab the patron then quickly fled the store, police said.
Pugh was wearing a camouflage handkerchief over his mouth, a gray fire-retardant work shirt with reflective tape around the sleeves, dark pants and black shoes, police said.
Police were led to Pugh when another man they were interviewing, Jason McCormick, said he had talked to Pugh the day of the robbery and Pugh had told him he had just robbed the Belco Store.
McCormick told police Pugh laughed when he told him an old man had been smacking him with a newspaper while he was taking money from the register. He also said Pugh had in his car clothing that matched that of the robber.
Pugh is wanted on charges of robbery, theft, terroristic threats and simple assault. He is described as being about 6 feet tall and weighing 180 to 200 pounds. He has a “buzzed” or shaved haircut.
A second arrest warrant was issued to Greene County Regional Police for Pugh, who allegedly fled following an incident July 9 involving retail theft at the BFS Truck Stop in Mt. Morris.
Police said they stopped Pugh’s vehicle, a white Honda sedan, about 2:45 p.m. after receiving a report McCormick, who was believed to have stolen items from the store, was in the store with another man.
Police stopped Pugh’s vehicle on Gas Company Road after being told the vehicle the men were in had just left the truck stop. They said while they were taking McCormick into custody for drug paraphernalia police found in the vehicle, Pugh drove off.
In regard to the incident, Pugh is wanted on charges of fleeing or attempting to elude police, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving at an unsafe speed.