EMLENTON, Pa. (EYT) — An Emlenton man who allegedly robbed the UniMart at gunpoint a year ago waived his preliminary hearing.
According to court documents, the following charges against 30-year-old Randy Eugene Risinger, Jr., of Emlenton, were transferred to Venango County Court of Common Pleas on March 29, 2017:
– Robbery-Threat Immediate Serious Injury, Felony 1
– Theft By Unlawful Taking-Movable Property, Misdemeanor 1
– Simple Assault, Misdemeanor 2
Details of the Case
According to a criminal complaint, around 9:50 p.m. on March 1, 2016, Trooper Pierce, of Franklin-based State Police, met with the clerk at the Emlenton UniMart who stated that the store had been robbed. The clerk was alone in the store when a person entered wearing a Halloween mask, a poncho, and gloves and pointed a pistol at him and said, “Give me all the (expletive) money.” The clerk opened the cash register, gave the guy the money, and then the guy exited the store and went to the right. The store manager indicated that about $200.00 in cash was missing.
The complaint states that around 12:50 p.m. on March 4, 2016, Trooper Swatzler, of PSP Franklin, was contacted by the owner of the Emlenton UniMart. He stated that Randy Risinger came to the store and apologized to the clerk for robbing him. He also stated that Risinger called him from the store and admitted to him over the phone that he was the one who robbed the store and that he did it because he needed money for drugs.
Trooper Swatzler then spoke to the clerk who stated that Risinger said he was “dope sick” and needed the money. Risinger also told the clerk that it was a fake gun, the complaint indicates.
Later that day, Trooper Swatzler spoke to Randy Risinger who stated that he was watching TV with his father-in-law at the time of the robbery, the complaint continues.
On March 6, 2016, Trooper Swatzler spoke with the Emlenton Police Department who indicated he was in Risinger’s residence at 10 First Street Extension, Emlenton, in the upstairs apartment about a month prior on a CYS call and observed a realistic-looking pellet pistol on the kitchen table, the complaint states.
According to the complaint, around 3:00 p.m. on March 7, 2016, Trooper Swatzler met with Risinger’s father-in-law. During the interview, Trooper Swatzler learned that Risinger, who resided in the upstairs apartment, came downstairs around 8:00 p.m. on the evening of the robbery and was only there about 10 to 15 minutes. A search of Randy Risinger’s apartment was executed. A Daisy air pistol was found in the gun cabinet in the bedroom, and a Daisy Lower Line Pistol Box was discovered on a shelf about the kitchen sink. The items were seized and entered into evidence.
The complaint states that workers from a local lumber company discovered a black body-style costume cape, and Emlenton Police gave PSP Franklin the costume to enter into evidence on March 12, 2016.
On May 19, 2016, a DNA sample from Randy Risinger and the costume were submitted to the crime lab for DNA comparison. The lab report indicated that the DNA sample from the cape was too small, and no comparison could be made, according to the complaint.
Following an investigation, Franklin-based State Police filed charges against Risinger in Magisterial District Judge Patrick E. Lowrey’s office on March 9, 2017. He was arraigned on March 21, 2017.
Unable to post $50,000.00 monetary bail, he was lodged in the Venango County Jail.
His bail was decreased to $30,000.00 on March 29.
He remains in Venango County Jail while his case is working its way through the court system.
Other Cases Against Risinger
April 2, 2015 St. Petersburg Borough Theft
Risinger pleaded guilty to Theft By Unlawful Taking-Movable Property, a first-degree misdemeanor.
Charges of Burglary — Overnight Accommodation, No Person Present and Receiving Stolen Property were dismissed.
He was ordered to one-year probation for this offense.
November 18, 2015 New Bethlehem Theft
Risinger pleaded guilty to Intentional Possession Controlled Substance By Person Not Registered and Use/Possession Of Drug Paraphernalia, both misdemeanors. The charge for Theft By Unlawful Taking-Movable Property was dismissed.
Risinger was ordered to one year probation for this offense.
March 4, 2016 Emlenton Borough DUI
Risinger pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of DUI: Controlled Substance — Schedule 2 or 3 — 1st Offense.
As part of the plea deal, the following charges were dismissed:
– DUI: Controlled Substance — Impaired Ability — 1st Offense, Misdemeanor
– Careless Driving, Summary
– Disregard Traffic Lane (Single), Summary
Risinger was ordered to a minimum of 72 hours to a maximum of 6 months confinement in the Venango County Jail.
March 28, 2016 Emlenton Borough Theft
Rising pleaded guilty to a first-degree felony charge of Burglary — Overnight Accommodation, No Person Present.
As part of the plea deal, the following charges were dismissed:
– Criminal Trespass-Enter Structure, Felony 3
– Theft By Unlawful Taking-Movable Property, Misdemeanor 3
– Receiving Stolen Property, Misdemeanor 3
On October 31, 2016, he was sentenced to a minimum of 10 months and a maximum of 23 months and 29 days in Venango County Jail, followed by one year probation.
The jail sentence is concurrent with the DUI sentence.
