Cressona Man Charged for 9 Armed Robberies in Schuylkill and Berks Counties

A Cressona man was officially charged on Thursday for the armed robberies of 9 locations in April of 2020.

According to the Pennsylvania State Police at Schuylkill Haven's Criminal Investigation Unit, John James Bennett, 32, of Cressona was charges after a thorough investigation into numerous armed robberies that took place between April 8th, 2020 and April 27th, 2020 in Schuylkill and Berks Counties.

Police say the Bennett was responsible for the following robberies at these locations and times

• 04/08/20 4:37am - Mobil – Cressona Borough, Schuylkill County
• 04/18/20 8:15pm - Bethel Food Shop - Bethel Township, Berks County
• 04/20/20 5:00pm - Uni-Mart - West Mahanoy Township, Schuylkill County
• 04/21/20 1:35am - Turkey Hill - Butler Township, Schuylkill County 
• 04/25/20 9:15pm - Mobil - Cressona Borough, Schuylkill County 
• 04/26/20 4:05am - Fast Fill - Schuylkill Haven Borough, Schuylkill County 
• 04/26/20 6:10am - Speedway - Pine Grove Township, Schuylkill County 
• 04/26/20 6:55am - Auburn Food Mart - West Brunswick Township, Schuylkill County 
• 04/27/20 12:30pm - Power Gas and Food Mart - Strausstown Borough, Berks County 

The total monetary amount stolen through the course of these crimes was $4594.97

Bennett is accused of entering the gas stations with his face concealed by a mask and his hood up, brandishing a handgun, and demanding cigarettes and cash from the clerks working in the stores. BENNETT led PSP on a high-speed chase on April 30th, 2020 which ended when he struck an unoccupied PSP vehicle. The chase resulted in several Felony, Misdemeanor, and Summary Charges.

On July 23rd, 2020 the Pennsylvania State Police -Schuylkill Haven Criminal Investigation Unit filed charges on Bennett in Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier's office charging him with 9 counts of  Robbery(Felony 1), 9 counts of Robbery(Felony 3), 1 count of Receiving Stolen Property(Felony 3), 9) counts of Theft by Unlawful Taking or Disposition(Misdemeanor 1 ), 9 counts of Terroristic Threats (Misdemeanor 1), 9 counts of Simple Assault(Misdemeanor 2), and 9 counts of Recklessly Endangering Another Person (Misdemeanor 2). 

BENNETT remains housed in the Schuylkill County Prison awaiting a preliminary hearing.