With five witnesses prepared to testify against him, a Donora man accused of robbing a North Belle Vernon pharmacy waived his right to a preliminary hearing Monday.
Gregory Allen Rodgers, 29, appeared before Magisterial District Judge Charles Christner in Rostraver.
Rodgers is accused of brandishing a stolen weapon during a robbery at Standard Pharmacy on Broad Avenue just before 2:30 p.m. Jan. 28.
Rodgers, who has four prior burglary convictions, was ordered by Christner to stand trial on two counts of recklessly endangering another person, robbery, receiving stolen property, three firearms violations, criminal trespass and theft.
An additional count of reckless endangerment was added as Rodgers allegedly pointed his gun at a person who tried to intervene during the alleged robbery.
Rodgers was apprehended 30 minutes after the alleged incident in the 600 block of Graham Street.
State police and Washington Township police Superintendent Ray Moody found Rodgers hiding under a blue tarp beneath a pool deck. They allegedly found him in possession of a small, loaded silver handgun and $384 in his pocket.
The gun's serial number was not legible, North Belle Vernon police Lt. Ron Vanscyoc said in the criminal complaint.
Rodgers was identified as the purported suspect by pharmacy employees after he was taken into custody.
He had been wanted on a Washington County bench warrant related to drug and theft charges stemming from an Oct. 16 raid in Charleroi.
Store owner and pharmacist Dan Kochis said the suspect entered the store and headed straight to the register.
“He walked in, presented a gun and asked for all of the cash,” Kochis said. “I guess in his mind, that's what he was going to do.”
No customers were in the store at the time of the robbery, Kochis said.
Jeremy Sellew is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at jsellew@tribweb.com or 724-684-2667.
