Man accused of 2 local store robberies in 1 week
Jul. 11—FARRELL — A Butler man who was already sought by police for a recent robbery in Springfield Township is now facing charges on the accusation that he robbed a Farrell drug store, and the spouse of the clerk he is accused of robbing helped catch him.
Dustin Leroy Hilliard, 38, of Butler, is charged with robbery by threat of immediate serious injury, making terroristic threats that cause serious public inconvenience, and theft by unlawful taking of immovable property, according to court documents.
Those charges stem from an incident Thursday afternoon in the Rite-Aid pharmacy at 700 Sharon-New Castle Road, according to the criminal complaint.
Police said Hilliard entered the Rite-Aid as if he was going make a purchase but handed the employee at the cash register a note that said, "Don't panic just need money out of the register don't want to hurt anyone." Hilliard also kept his right hand in his right pocket as if he had a weapon.
The employee called over the manager to show them the note and open the register. The manager then gave Hilliard $1,209.75 in cash, the complaint states.
Hilliard then left the store in a silver Ford Fusion. As Hilliard was leaving, the employee's husband was coming to visit her when she ran out of the store and told her husband to get the Fusion's license plate number.
Police arrived at 4:17 p.m. and were able to watch security camera footage of the robbery. The husband was also able to provide the license plate number and a physical description of Hilliard to police.
Later, a Hermitage police detective arrived at the scene. He said Hermitage police had stopped the Fusion the night before, and Hilliard was driving, the complaint states.
The Pennsylvania State Police in Mercer were able to locate Hilliard's vehicle in Sharon by using the "LoJack" stolen vehicle recovery system.
Police found the vehicle with a matching license plate behind 368 Stambaugh Ave., Sharon, and a neighbor told police someone matching Hilliard's description left the vehicle. Police found Hilliard standing beside the residence and took him into custody.
Police found $620 in Hilliard's front pocket, the complaint states.
Hilliard was already sought after by Pennsylvania State Police after a robbery at 3:20 a.m. July 6 at Kwik Fill, 1914 Leesburg-Grove City Road, Springfield Township.
Hilliard allegedly entered the convenience store carrying an unknown object wrapped in dark cloth. Similar to the Rite-Aid robbery, the robber gave the Kwik Fill cashier a note demanding money, then drove off, heading east on state Route 208 toward Grove City.
State police, who did not say how much money was stolen, provided a description of the robber and his vehicle. Police also released images from Kwik Fill's security cameras and asked the public for help, leading to multiple people identifying the suspect as Hilliard.
State police thanked the community members who came forward for their help. For the Quik Fill robbery, Hilliard was charged with robbery, theft by unlawful taking, assault and receiving stolen property for his actions.
Hilliard's preliminary hearing for the robbery in Farrell is scheduled for 3:45 p.m. July 21 before Magisterial District Judge Mary Ann Odem. His preliminary hearing for the Springfield Township robbery will be at 9:45 a.m. July 21 before District Judge Daniel W. Davis.
He is in Mercer County jail after failing to post bond.
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