PORT MATILDA – Two men have been arrested for their involvement in an armed robbery that occurred Monday at Lykens Market in Port Matilda.
State police at Philipsburg identified the suspects as Cody J. House, 23, of Frenchville and Lucas A. Scott, 19, of Alexandria.
House entered the store at approximately 6:45 a.m., allegedly brandished a firearm and demanded money from the cash registers.
He also allegedly threatened the clerks and other customers that he would shoot them if they didn’t comply with his demands.
According to state police, House stole merchandise and an undisclosed amount of cash before fleeing the store on foot.
State police say House was observed by a witness entering a Mitsubishi CP. The vehicle was allegedly being driven by Scott.
The store’s owner followed the suspect vehicle with assistance from the witness. It traveled to a camp on Mudlick Road in Julian.
State police observed House entering the camp for a short period. He fled out the back and into a wooded area.
State police say House was apprehended a short time later on a local road that’s east of the camp.
State police obtained search warrants, which resulted in the recovery of the merchandise and cash in various denominations. Troopers also located clothing consistent with the store’s surveillance video.
In an interview with investigators, Scott confessed to operating the get-away vehicle for House.
House has been charged with robbery and related offenses through the district court. Scott is facing conspiracy-related charges.
House and Scott are housed in the Centre County Prison in lieu of $500,000 and $100,000 bail, respectively.