Man jailed in attempted kidnapping at grocery store

Staff report

new castle, pa.

Shenango Township Police arrested a man wanted in the attempted abduction of a woman in the parking lot of the Giant Eagle on New Butler Road.

Shenango police said Robert Cookson, 46, of Hoover Road in New Castle was arrested at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at his home after store security-camera footage was aired on local television stations, and someone recognized him.

Cookson is accused of trying to force a 29-year-old woman who was loading groceries into her car at 10:30 p.m. Tuesday into her car at knife point. When she screamed, Cookson ran away, police said.

He was arraigned Thursday on charges of aggravated assault, criminal attempted robbery, unlawful restraint, simple assault and reckless endangerment. He was taken to the Lawrence County Jail in lieu of $75,000 bond.

His preliminary hearing is set for 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in Lawrence County Central Court.