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EASTON, Pennsylvania | The man accused of robbing an Easton convenience store at gunpoint in his neighborhood last month told police he was not running away from the theft, but rather from the people chasing him.
Easton Police arrested Elijah J. Whittingham on Tuesday in connection with the May 9 armed robbery of the Express Mini Market, where the 19-year-old was a regular customer. District Judge Robert Weber charged the Easton resident with robbery and related charges, setting the bond at $ 150,000.
Agents were dispatched to the market in the 1000 block of Butler Street shortly before 6:30 p.m. Authorities said CCTV showed a man entering the store and walking around before shooting a handgun at two employees and demanding money, according to the criminal complaint against Whittingham.
The gunman fled with about $ 400 in $ 20 bills, running east on Butler Street after leaving the store.
Both victims gave the same description of the thief with an employee telling police she believed he may have been a regular because he tried to disguise his voice during the robbery.
Authorities have obtained surveillance footage from a source that shows the alley between Washington and Butler Streets, which is close to the market, according to court records. A man, who appears to be carrying a handgun, is seen running down the alley moments after the theft and disappearing into the bushes at the end of the alley.
Police said it matched the description provided by employees and the man seen in the store’s surveillance video.
Investigators released photos and someone called police to report the suspect was Elijah Whitt of Butler Street, according to records. She provided photos of Elijah Whitt from various social media sources. Another person who saw the photos asked police if they had arrested Whittingham for the market robbery.
Police questioned Whittingham on June 5. He admitted to being the person seen in the surveillance photos and carrying a Taurus 9mm handgun. But he insisted he was running away from the people who were chasing him. Authorities said surveillance video from the area did not catch anyone chasing him.
Police said Whittingham noted that he frequently shopped at the Express Mini Mart.
Whittingham, of the 1200 block of Butler Street, now faces counts of robbery and carrying a firearm without a license as well as counts of theft and concealment. He did not post bail and was sent to Northampton County Jail pending a preliminary hearing scheduled for June 21.
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