Police ID man suspected in discount store robbery
BUTLER TWP — Police identified a man who robbed a discount store of several hundred dollars the week before Christmas.
Shawn Eric Graham, 41, who has no known address, is wanted on five charges in the Dec. 18 robbery of the Dollar General store at the Butler Commons shopping center, police said. District Judge Kevin O'Donnell signed an arrest warrant for him Monday.
Butler Township police said a man, later identified as Graham, walked into the store just before 7:30 p.m. and purchased a package of mints. He handed a cashier a $1 bill.
According to court documents, while waiting for his change, the suspect told the female employee, “Give it all up or I'm going to end it all.”
Police said the man insinuated that he had a weapon in his waistband, but none was seen. No one was injured.
The cashier opened the register and handed over all the money — $468.71, investigators said. The robber ran out of the store and headed toward the Target store and North Duffy Road.
The employee locked up the store with customers inside and waited for police to arrive.
Authorities later posted photos of the suspect, taken from a security camera, on the department's Facebook page. The posting generated a tip that subsequently helped lead to Graham's identification, police said.
He is charged with robbery and terroristic threats, both felonies, and theft, receiving stolen property and simple assault, all misdemeanors.
Police, meanwhile, said Graham also is a suspect in the Dec. 16 attempted break-in of a money machine at Morgan's Car Wash on New Castle Road in the township. However, no charges have been filed in that case.
According to police, the would-be thief in that crime used a power tool to try to get into the money box at the car wash kiosk.
