Man charged with robbing market
A Yukon man faces several charges after allegedly attempting to rob the Yukon Market in South Huntingdon Township late Saturday night.
State police allege that James Michael Smith, 38, entered the market at approximately 10:30 p.m. and said “this is a stick-up.”
Trooper Justin Prejsnar said in a criminal complaint that the owner of the market called police and said the suspect was wearing a red hoodie and a Penguins jacket and left the store heading toward the post office.
Prejsnar said in the complaint they located Smith, matching the description, approximately 200 yards from the market.
Smith reportedly told police he was just joking with the clerk when he was at the market and didn’t mean anything by it.
Prejsnar reported that Smith was slow and sluggish in his speech and could hardly stay awake, telling the trooper that he was taking prescription medication.
Prejsnar detained Smith and transported him back to the Yukon Market where the owner identified him as the suspect.
The complaint stated that the owner repeatedly asked Smith to leave and was reaching for a firearm under the counter when he saw a silver object in Smith’s pocket.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled before Magisterial District Judge Charles Moore in Mount Pleasant on Feb. 17 at 10 a.m. He faces charges of robbery, harassment, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness.