Man arrested for robbing QuickChek in Hamiliton; second suspect on the run
Police say the suspects stole cigarettes, cash and a register before fleeing. A second man remains at large.
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A Trenton man was arrested after police say he and another man robbed a Hamilton convenience store and fled on bicycles early on Aug. 19.
Hamilton police said officers responded around 4:30 a.m. to the QuickChek at 1100 S. Olden Ave. after two men wearing dark clothing allegedly stole cigarettes, a cash register and cash before fleeing toward Cedar Lane.
Officers spotted a man matching the description riding a bicycle near Newkirk and Watson avenues, police said. The man allegedly jumped off the bicycle and ran when ordered to stop, leading officers on a brief foot chase before entering a fenced yard on Newkirk Avenue.
An officer caught the man, identified by police as 42-year-old Marcus Giddings, in a backyard and arrested him without further incident. Police said a black trash bag he allegedly discarded while fleeing contained cigarettes believed to have been stolen from the store. Officers also allegedly found suspected crack cocaine and a suspected crack pipe on him.
Police said surveillance video showed Giddings and another man go behind the store counter and put numerous packs of cigarettes into a trash bag. When a clerk tried to stop them, the men allegedly pushed the clerk back. Police said Giddings then ripped the cash register from the counter before the pair left the store.
The men allegedly stole about $1,047 worth of cigarettes, a cash register valued at about $300 and approximately $472 in cash. Police estimated they also caused about $3,820 in damage to merchandise, displays, shelves and drawers.
Giddings was charged with robbery, resisting arrest by flight, obstructing the administration of law, trespassing, criminal mischief, possession of crack cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Police said the second suspect has not been apprehended and is believed to have the cash register.
