Port Matilda man reportedly stole $100 from Krishan Indian Grocery

A Port Matilda man faces multiple charges stemming from a robbery at Krishan Indian Grocery on Jan. 19, according to State College police.

The store, located at 230 W. College Ave. in State College, is owned by Kamlesh Bhatia, 73. Paul Sweeney Jr. entered the store at about 4 p.m. wearing a black hat, black jacket, black pants, black shoes, sunglasses and a white scarf over his face, according to police.

Sweeney reportedly approached the already opened register and said, “Give me all the money,” at least twice. He proceeded to take about $100 from the register, police said.

Bhatia told police that a male of the same height and build came into the store earlier that day, between 1 and 3 p.m.

Penn State police found video of the suspect that showed a car entering the lot at 322 W. College Ave. at 3:30 p.m. The suspect left the vehicle and walked to Krishan Indian Grocery before demanding the money from Bhatia. Sweeney could then be seen running westbound on College Avenue to return to the vehicle, according to police.

Still photos of the suspect’s vehicle were sent out and Centre County Sheriff Deputy Mark Rusnak found the suspect’s car in Bellefonte on Jan. 27. Police were able to confirm it was the same vehicle as seen on the camera footage from the parking lot.

After agreeing to speak with police outside his residence, Sweeney confirmed that he was the primary driver of the vehicle. He immediately added that he loaned the car to a “buddy” one or two weeks prior, according to police. Sweeney also said he was in the Mount Nittany Medical Center from a Friday to a Monday about one or two weeks ago.

Police said Sweeney declined to identify his “buddy” and the reason why he was in the hospital.

Sweeney reportedly denied that it was him who stole from the store. Police told Sweeney that they had visual evidence of him and his car, but he again denied his involvement.

Sweeney did admit that he was in the business one or two weeks prior to the robbery in search of employment at the store, police said. He said the owner, Bhatia, was “really nice” and the last time the two spoke was 10-15 years ago, according to police.

On Wednesday, Bhatia positively identified Sweeney’s photo in a double-blind photo lineup, according to police.

After a search warrant was obtained, police viewed Sweeney’s medical records for all of January and found that he was at Mount Nittany Medical Center on Jan. 7, before being discharged a day later. According to police, Sweeney. was not in the hospital at the time of the robbery.

Sweeney was charged with one count of a second-degree felony, two counts of misdemeanors and two summary offenses in relation to the robbery.

This story was originally published February 1, 2018 at 4:16 PM with the headline "Port Matilda man reportedly stole $100 from Krishan Indian Grocery."