Friday, January 5, 2024

Frackville Man Behind Bars for Alleged Knifepoint Robbery at West Mahanoy Township Gas Station


A Frackville man has been incarcerated in Schuylkill County Prison on charges of robbing a West Mahanoy Township gas station at knifepoint.
Court documents reveal that the alleged robbery took place around 3:30 am on Thursday, January 4th, 2023, at the Speedway Gas Station, at 520 South Lehigh Avenue in West Mahanoy Township near Frackville. 

A masked man, donning a black and white skull mask, entered the store, brandishing a knife measuring approximately 10-12 inches. The assailant demanded the employee to empty the cash register.

As the employee complied by placing cash into a plastic bag, the suspect also insisted on receiving a pack of Maverick Red 100 cigarettes. Subsequently, the suspect fled the scene on foot.

Pennsylvania State Police at Frackville swiftly responded to the incident, learning that the suspect matched the description of Robert Richline of Frackville, a 31-year-old former employee of the store.

A warrant for Richline's arrest was issued, and he was apprehended later Thursday morning. Richline was arraigned before on-call Magisterial District Judge Anthony Kilker, facing charges of receiving stolen property, harassment, robbery, simple assault, terroristic threats, and recklessly endangering another person.

Unable to post the $25,000 straight cash bail set by Judge Kilker, Richline was confined to Schuylkill County Prison.

Richline is scheduled to appear at a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Tarantelli on January 31st, 2024.