Police catch robbery suspect

Man found walking with $4,000 cash, marijuana residue

By Sara Ganim

Police arrested a Wallaceton man walking near the Coldstream Uni-Mart on Wednesday morning shortly after they say he broke into the store and robbed an employee who was opening it for business.

Police say Brian S. Vineyard Jr., 20, matched the description of the assailant who used a cement block to break out the store door, then threatened the clerk inside with a metal pipe, smashing phones and surveillance cameras.

Vineyard was found with more than $4,000 in cash along with marijuana residue, wearing a white T-shirt over a black sweatshirt — the description the clerk gave.

The robbery happened minutes before the store was to open at 5 a.m., police said.

Vineyard later admitted to police that he committed the robbery, taking cash and cigarettes and giving the clerk verbal orders to avoid getting hurt, police said.

He was arraigned by District Judge Daniel Hoffman on robbery, burglary, trespass, theft and drug charges. Bail was set at $100,000.

According to court documents, Vineyard was arrested two years ago on burglary and theft charges in Clearfield County and was sentenced April 28 of this year to two years of probation.

In that case, restitution was to be made to Brandt Tobacco Outlet and Lebanon Mutual Insurance. Part of his sentence was that he wasn’t allowed on the Brandt Tobacco Outlet property.

Employees at the Coldstream Uni-Mart store would not comment Wednesday morning.

Correspondent Lori Falce contributed to this story.