Clerk faces theft, false-report charges

HERMITAGE, Pa. -- Police have charged a Dairy Mart clerk with making false reports and theft after he said he was robbed at knifepoint in the store at Highland Road and North Buhl Farm Drive.
James C. Suttle, 19, of East Silver Street, Sharon, first told authorities that a black man robbed him of $160 around 3:45 a.m. Monday.
He gave police a description of the man and police found and questioned a man fitting that description, who denied there was any robbery. He told police Suttle had asked him to buy some crack cocaine and gave him $70 from the register to go get the drug.
The man said he took the money but didn't go back to the store.
Police said they interviewed Suttle again, and he admitted he had made up the robbery story.
He said he gave the man $60 from the register as a loan but, when the man didn't return, Suttle said he took another $100 from the cash register for himself and made up the robbery story, police said.
Police filed charges Tuesday against Suttle before District Justice Henry Russo and said a summons will be issued telling Suttle to appear before Russo for arraignment.