Man denies knifepoint robbery
Toolbox
By Josh O'Gorman STAFF WRITER - Published: March 28, 2009
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — A Springfield man is in prison on charges he robbed a gas station at knifepoint.
Aaron J. Montgomery, 19, pleaded innocent Thursday in White River Junction District Court to a felony charge of assault and robbery with a weapon, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.
Judge Theresa DiMauro set Montgomery's bail at $25,000 and following his arraignment he was taken to Springfield prison, records state.
According to an affidavit filed with the court, on the evening of March 11, Springfield Police responded to Midway Mobil on Route 106 in North Springfield to investigate an armed robbery.
Police interviewed the clerk, who told police a man had entered the store wearing a mask and wielding a large kitchen knife, records state. According to the clerk's affidavit, the man demanded money but she didn't have any $20 bills in her drawer so she gave him ones, fives and 10s totaling about $100.
The robber also demanded cigarettes and the clerk gave him two cartons of Marlboros, records state. During the robbery, records state, a customer entered the store. The robber waved the knife at the customer and told him to back up, then fled the store on foot with the cash and the cigarettes, affidavits state.
Wednesday night, Montgomery entered the Springfield Police Station and told police he had heard from his mother the police were looking for him, records state. Police had previously examined security video of the robbery and noted Montgomery's sneakers were identical to those of the robber, according to affidavits.
When told police wanted to talk to him about the robbery, Montgomery reportedly began to cry and confessed, police said. Affidavits state he told police he robbed the store because he needed money to pay for a place to stay.
Court records refer to Montgomery as a transient born in Sioux City, Iowa.
josh.ogorman@rutlandherald.com
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