BANGOR, Maine — A Newburgh man pleaded guilty Monday to felony robbery and other charges related to an Aug. 7 armed robbery at Dysart’s Travel Stop during a hearing at the Penobscot Judicial Center.
A former employee of the Carmel Road North filling station and convenience store, James Manning, 22, was arrested on Aug. 15 in connection with the robbery. He also pleaded guilty to one count each of assault and theft by unauthorized taking.
The assault charge is the result of Manning’s having struck a former supervisor when he was fired the day before the robbery.
The robbery occurred around 10 p.m. Aug. 7 when police say Manning, who acted alone, entered the store on Route 69 in Newburgh.
During Monday’s proceedings, Penobscot County District Attorney R. Christopher Almy said that Manning entered the store with a handgun and demanded cash from a safe that only employees knew remained unlocked during store hours.
He made off with nearly $1,400 in cash, Almy said.
Although Manning was wearing a mask at the time, one of his former co-workers recognized him by his physical build and other characteristics. A neighbor of his from Newburgh also was able to identify him in surveillance footage, Almy said.
When a detective with the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Manning’s home he found about $1,500 in cash and receipts for a meal at Buffalo Wild Wings and for purchases made a Wal-Mart. The denominations of bills used for the purchases were similar to those stolen from Dysart’s, Almy said.
Manning is free on $50,000 bail.
Under a plea agreement negotiated with the Penobscot County District Attorney’s Office, Manning will be sentenced to eight years in prison for the Class B felony with all but three years suspended, followed by three years of supervised release.
Manning’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for Dec. 29.