Man robs convenience store clerk

MONTICELLO – A Monticello man was charged Sunday night with the strong arm robbery of the Stewart’s Shop at 2 High Street in Monticello on Sunday night.

Police said the man, later identified as Eric Shawn McGee, 41, approached a female clerk with a bottle of vinegar and a dollar bill. When she opened the register, he reached over the counter and stole $476 from the drawer before he fled on foot.

The clerk hit the panic alarm bringing police to the scene.

McGee was arrested by village police shortly after 10:30 p.m. as he was waiting at 8 Starr Avenue for a taxi. In the darkness, he thought the approaching police car was the taxi, so he walked out to meet it. He was arrested and charged with robbery and burglary, both in the third, degree, criminal possession of stolen property in the fifth degree as well as criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument. He had two hypodermic syringes on him when arrested.

Police were able to recover $366 of the stolen money.