Man charged in robberies waives right to hearing
DUNBAR TWP. – A Dunbar man charged in connection with three robberies over a two-day period will have the matter heard before a Fayette County judge. Brian L. Baker, 28, of 519 Laurel Lane waived his right to a preliminary hearing before District Justice Dwight Shaner on multiple charges of robbery, terroristic threats, simple assault, theft by unlawful taking and one count of receiving stolen property stemming from the July 24 and 25 incidents.
According to state police, Baker and an unidentified juvenile allegedly drove a stolen 1998 Buick sedan to a Uniontown bar where they picked up a Munhall man and drove him to a church parking lot along West Penn Boulevard.
After pulling into the parking lot, the Munhall man was robbed at gunpoint of $7, his cigarettes and a lighter, said police.
A short time later, Baker and the juvenile arrived at the Trotter Dairy Mart parking lot where Baker entered the store with the shotgun and demanded that money in the cash drawer be turned over by the attendant, said police.
He fled the store with $119.
Six hours later, police said Baker returned to the Dairy Mart and again demanded money from another store employee.
Police said after the cash drawer was opened, Baker removed $53.
He remains lodged in Fayette County Prison on a $25,000 straight cash bond.
In an unrelated matter, Baker has been additionally charged by Connellsville police with drug possession, possession with intent to deliver, possession of drug paraphernalia and traffic summary violations, including driving with a suspended license and without proper insurance and registration.
According to arresting officer, Cpl. Ron Haggerty, Baker was spotted on July 4 driving a vehicle with a lapsed registration plate.
After conducting a traffic stop, Baker was found in possession of eight stamped bags of heroin and two bag corners containing crack cocaine in his sock. Police also recovered $498.
Baker was arraigned Wednesday before District Justice Robert Breakiron on the charges and returned to the county prison. Breakiron imposed a $30,000 percentage bond and scheduled an Aug. 26 preliminary hearing in the matter.