CLEARFIELD – A Gifford, Pa. man who reportedly went on a multi-jurisdiction crime spree is facing robbery and related charges in Clearfield County.
Tyler Jamal Newman, 19, has been charged by Trooper David Patrick of the Clearfield-based state police with two felony counts of robbery/threat immediate serious injury; a felony count of robbery/inflict threat immediate bodily injury; and a felony count of robbery/take property from other/force.
He’s also been charged with two felony counts of terroristic threats; two misdemeanor counts of recklessly endangering another person; a misdemeanor count of theft by unlawful taking; and two summary counts of harassment.
Newman waived his right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday during centralized court at the Clearfield County Jail. His bail is currently set at $250,000.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, at approximately 11:55 p.m. Feb. 11, Lawrence Township police were dispatched to an attempted armed robbery at the Sheetz store, located at 14259 Clearfield-Shawville Hwy.
On-scene Officer Ralph Nedza made contact with the cashier. She said just minutes earlier, a male approached and placed two items on the counter.
As she rang both items, she saw he had a handgun, which he held close against himself with the barrel on the counter. He stared at her, extended his left hand with his palm up and curled his fingers toward himself.
He allegedly told the cashier to “empty the register” to which she replied, “are you kidding me?” She said he continued to stare at her, concealed the weapon under his jacket and “casually” exited the store.
At approximately 12:20 a.m. Feb. 12, Troopers Douglas Mihalko and Matthew Gordon were dispatched to a report of an armed robbery at the Kwik Fill in Kylertown.
On-scene an employee said just minutes earlier, an African American male entered the store and brandished what appeared to be a silver and black semi-automatic handgun.
The male allegedly pointed the weapon straight at the employee and stated “give me all the money in the register. Don’t worry I’m not going to shoot you; it’s nothing personal.”
The employee said he gave the male approximately $200 to $300 in cash from the register. He said the male also asked for a pack of Newport 100s.
While he retrieved the pack, he said the male stated, “Not to be greedy but give me a Bic lighter, too.” He provided troopers with a physical description, saying the male fled in a silver Nissan Xterra.
A be-on-the-look-out alert was sent out on the suspect vehicle, which was believed to be headed south on state Route 53, to the surrounding areas.
At approximately 12:58 a.m., Rockview-based state troopers encountered the vehicle at a truck stop in Snow Shoe. Inside was a male matching the robbery suspect’s physical description.
A “hit confirmation” was sent out and investigating troopers found out the vehicle was stolen out of Ridgway, according to the affidavit.
Troopers subsequently identified the male as Newman and inside the vehicle were a silver and black bb gun and $286 in cash. He was taken into custody and to the Clearfield barracks.
Newman reportedly confessed to troopers that he attempted to rob Sheetz in Clearfield and robbed Kwik Fill in Kylertown. Troopers recorded his confession on both audio and video.