Sheetz robber gets four years

April 09, 1999

The man who robbed the Sheetz Store on East Washington Avenue last summer was sentenced Thursday to serve four years in prison.

Mark Anthony Armstrong pleaded guilty to robbery and violation of probation before Washington County Circuit Judge Donald Beachley.

The judge sentenced Armstrong to 10 years for the robbery, suspending all but four years. A concurrent 18-month sentence was imposed for the probation violation.

He was placed on probation for three years.

Armstrong, 38, apologized to the community and to the people at the Sheetz Store for the 1:45 a.m. robbery on July 7.

Deputy Washington County State's Attorney Charles Strong said the clerk was working at the counter when she saw a hand come over the counter and start grabbing money out of a register.

The man was wearing a ski mask and displaying a toy gun.

Armstrong was seen fleeing the area and was followed by a Washington County Hospital security officer who notified Hagerstown City Police, Strong said.

When officers arrived at Frederick Street and Memorial Boulevard, Armstrong was found in a clump of trees, police said.

They recovered cash, discarded clothing, a toy gun and a mask, police said.

Armstrong was treated at Washington County Hospital for dog bites sustained during his arrest.

Strong said Armstrong's prior offenses include thefts and destruction of property. The probation violation was for a 1996 cocaine possession conviction for which Armstrong was still on probation when the robbery occurred.

- Marlo Barnhart

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