Subway robbery suspect arrested
CENTER TWP — State police arrested Ronald William Steighner Jr., a 34-year-old Butler County man, Friday evening in connection with the armed robbery of a Subway store on Main Street Extension on Wednesday.
Police said Steighner was turned in by a man who contacted police Thursday to say he thought his brother committed the robbery.
The caller had seen surveillance footage released to media. He told police his brother had the same shoes, walk and appearance as the person in the video.
State police in Butler were contacted at about 9 p.m. Wednesday about the robbery. Surveillance footage taken at the scene revealed a man walked across the grass along Mercer Road toward Subway at about 8:49 p.m. Wednesday night. Two male employees were inside the restaurant when the man entered.
The man tried ordering two 6-inch meatball subs, but was told the restaurant was out of meatballs.
Surveillance shows the suspect then drew a handgun on both workers. He ordered them to the ground. The man then ordered one worker to fill a Subway bag with money.
The man took the filled bag and fled on foot. Surveillance recorded the bag opening and money spilling out as the man disappeared from view along Mercer Road.
About $115 in various bills and coin rolls were found where the bag spilled, along with the bag.
Police interviewed the Subway workers, who corroborated surveillance footage.
A search warrant was obtained Friday, and a search was made of Steighner’s residence. Police found “physical evidence consistent with the incident.”
Steighner was arrested and placed on $250,000 bond. His preliminary hearing is tentatively set for 1:30 p.m. Sept. 9.
He does have a prior arrest for theft and drugs and was on parole.
