The Bradford man accused of attempting to rob the Choice store at knifepoint last Saturday waived a hearing in McKean County Central Court on Thursday.
Dennis Michael Fuino, 58, of 7 Colegrove Ave., is charged with attempted robbery and robbery with threat of immediate serious injury, both first-degree felonies; possession of a weapon, a first-degree misdemeanor; simple assault and attempted theft, second-degree misdemeanors.
According to court records, at about 2 p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to the Choice store at 84 W. Washington St. for an armed robbery in progress, with a perpetrator carrying a knife.
Upon arrival on the scene, police found the perpetrator had fled the area on foot. The cashier at the store said a white male, around 40 to 50 years of age, had come into the store, walked up to the counter, said “guess what” before pulling his black beanie over his face and stated “give me all the money in the register,” court records stated.
The cashier said she didn’t have any money because the store had just changed shifts. He then demanded the money from lottery sales, to which she said “we don’t have lottery money and I’m pressing the panic button,” court records stated.
The male left the store. The cashier ran outside, saw two people she knew in a car in the lot and told them what happened. The male driver of the car followed the suspect for a short time, and saw him speak to another man on the street, the records alleged.
An officer interviewed that man, and learned the suspect had run east on State Street from North Center Street. After reviewing the security cameras at the Choice store, officers recognized Fuino. Police obtained a search warrant for his residence, and found the clothes he was wearing at the time of the robbery. Police indicated the clothes had distinctive stains and markings on them which were easily identifiable, court records stated.
Fuino remains jailed in lieu of $150,000 bail.
Court records indicate he is represented by the McKean County Public Defender’s office.
