TOWN OF TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB)- The suspect police said tried to rob a 7-Eleven store when a bystander stepped in to help, faced a judge Tuesday night.
Robert Samson didn’t show any emotion as he was brought into the courtroom. Store owners up and down Sheridan Drive told News 4 they’re relieved he’s been caught.
Samson has now been charged with a robbery on Dec. 6 and another robbery Dec. 12. He is also charged with petty larceny and menacing for both crimes.
Samson was originally arrested after surveillance video showed him robbing the 7-Eleven at 749 Sheridan Dr. on Dec. 29. Surveillance footage showed a man demanding money at gunpoint when a passerby comes in and hits the robber multiple times on the head with a flashlight.
Town of Tonawanda Police arrested Samson for the crime the next day. Police found him hiding in his attic, he was taken to the hospital before being locked up at the Erie County Holding Center.
Samson went before Judge Mark Gruber on Tuesday night where he was charged for the other two robberies.
He’s accused of robbing the Sunoco station at 1066 Sheridan on Dec. 12. Store employees let News 4 look at surveillance video from that night. It shows a man arrive at the store on a bike and then demand money from the register at gunpoint.
He’s also accused of robbing the 7-Eleven at 749 Sheridan once before, on Dec. 6.
Samson’s criminal past goes further back than these crimes.
Town of Tonawanda Police say in 2008, Samson was arrested for stealing vases attached to graves and selling them for scrap metal.
In 2006, News 4 interviewed Samson when the town cited him for growing sunflowers too close to the sidewalk, obstructing pedestrians.
Samson is now being held on $25,000 bail for each crime. He waived his right to a preliminary hearing so now the case goes to the grand jury.
