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Brownsville man recently sentenced in robbery charged again

By Alyssa Choiniere achoiniere@heraldstandard.Com 2 min read
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A Brownsville man who was recently sentenced in Washington County for a series of robberies was charged again with a robbery in Westmoreland County.

Charles Leonard Bell, 51, is serving nine to 18 years in prison since last month for robberies in Washington County, and five to 10 years for robberies committed in Fayette County. He is awaiting sentencing for additional robberies in Westmoreland County.

He was charged Thursday for a robbery allegedly committed in North Belle Vernon last year.

When police served a warrant to Bell for a DNA sample, he responded, “I thought I was already charged with that one,” according to the affidavit of probable cause filed in his case.

Police allege Bell robbed Sunoco on Fayette Street on March 29 with an Uzi-style pistol. He allegedly said “Hey, give me the money,” and held the pistol to the clerk’s side. He allegedly took $50 from the register and fled on foot, according to the affidavit.

North Belle Vernon Borough Police viewed surveillance footage, which they said showed the suspect wearing a winter hat with ear flaps. Police found the hat in the Sunoco parking lot and tested hairs on the hat for DNA. Police said they found the pistol in a yard on Fayette Street, according to court documents.

Police said Bell’s DNA sample matched the hair on the hat.

He is charged with aggravated assault, simple assault and theft.

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