Michael Waugh faces charges in two different cases. In the first case, he faces charges of robbery, theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property and related charges.
According to court records, officers from the Lawrence Township Police Department were called on Oct. 8, 2011 for an armed robbery at Rite Aid along Clearfield-Curwensville Highway. Once on scene, officers that two white males entered the store, wearing sheet material around their heads and faces. The woman working at the time told police one of the men held up a knife and told her to give them all the drugs. She said she told them she could not get into the pharmacy.
She said she was then ordered to give them all the money in the register. She said she told him she had to unlock the drawer, and the man with the knife told her she was taking too long. Police noted he followed the woman to the register and reached in after she opened it, grabbing the large bills. He then jumped over the counter and left with the other person.
The woman gave police a description of their vehicle, as well as the males. She noted that one of them had similar clothes to a man who earlier entered the store. Police reviewed video surveillance of the incident and and took note of that man’s appearance. They were unable to identify him until he appeared for a preliminary hearing on Oct. 19, 2012. Police said he arrived for court wearing the same shirt, jeans and boots he wore in the surveillance footage. Police noted the mannerisms were the same, and the physical characteristics matched up.
In the second case, Waugh faces charges of burglary, criminal mischief, criminal trespass, two counts of theft by unlawful taking and related charges.
On Oct. 10, 2011, the LTPD was called in to investigate a break-in at Guns-R-Us. A neighbor called to report the break-in, stating he could hear the alarm going off. He also reported that the suspect fled in the direction of Turnpike Avenue.
Once on scene, officers from the LTPD and Clearfield Borough Police Department searched the area with negative results. An investigation of the store yielded blood samples. Police noted a Rugar .357 and Tarus 9mm were missing. The state police’s Records and Identification Unit was called in to collect evidence and police began to interview the neighbor who called in the incident.
He related what he saw and heard, and noted that while on the phone with County Control, he observed a vehicle drive past. He told police he stopped the vehicle and recognized the two inside, one of whom was Waugh. He asked what they were up to, and Waugh told him they were leaving Quigley’s Pub because he had gotten into a fight. Police also spoke with another potential witness, who pointed them toward a glove on the ground.
Police went to Quigley’s pub and spoke with those on duty. The workers indicated they had not seen Waugh or his companion. One worker indicated that Waugh had a lifetime ban from the bar. Workers also stated there was no fight at the bar that night.
The morning after the incident police received a call from someone in the area who stated she found a bloody shirt and bloody socks near her yard. Police collected that evidence and returned it to the police station. Officers also spoke with other potential witnesses and federal agents.
Police again spoke to the man who called 911. He related that he had a 30 minute phone conversation with Waugh. He said Waugh told him he knew police knew he was in the car. He also told the man he got into a fight with a black man at the parking lot of Quigley’s Pub. He told the man they were both injured as a result of the fight.
Police were later able to get in contact with Waugh by phone. They informed Waugh they needed to get a statement from him because he was a potential suspect. Waugh reportedly told police he was unable to because he was working out of the area. A federal agents spoke with Waugh and reportedly got the same excuse; however, Waugh revealed that he was worried he would be detained by police because of the fight outside the bar being a violation of his bail stipulations. He stated he did not enter the bar that night. He claimed he called his girlfriend to pick him up after the fight and he discarded a bloody hat and shirt across the street.
Waugh then called back, asking to speak with the federal agent. He related he was concerned he would be detained for the fight. He said he was messed up, having cuts on his hand and face. He also said the other man was messed up due to the knife fight.
On Oct. 19, 2011, Officers Crystal Panebianco took note of cuts on Waugh’s hands and wrists.
Waugh waived his right to preliminary hearings on both cases.