Robbery charges filed against West Newton man
An arrest warrant has been issued for a West Newton man who allegedly tried to rob a man at gunpoint over $8.
State police filed charges against Zayne Brendon Balmer, 19, including robbery, carrying a firearm without a license, terroristic threats, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and disorderly conduct before Magisterial District Judge Charles Christner.
The charges stem from an incident in Sewickley Township on Oct. 8 when Balmer was in a vehicle with five other people, four of whom were juveniles. Police said the driver of the vehicle, Robert Buskey, stopped to speak with Jordan Hayden along Greenhills Road.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, after Hayden said he was waiting for a ride, the vehicle drove off and Balmer then fired a round from a pistol outside the vehicle’s window. Balmer allegedly directed Buskey to turn around and rob Hayden of his money because Balmer wanted a pack of cigarettes.
Buskey refused to turn around, and Balmer allegedly put the gun to the back of Buskey’s head and told him he would shoot Buskey if he didn’t turn the vehicle around.
Buskey then turned the vehicle around, police said, and drove to where Hayden was standing. There, Balmer allegedly approached Hayden and pointed the gun at him, telling him to hand over all his money or he would be shot.
Police said Hayden told Balmer that he only had $8 and refused to hand it over, which caused Balmer to threaten him again.
At that point, Hayden’s brother arrived, and Balmer put the gun in his back pocket as the brother told him to leave, according to court paperwork.