25-03-2025
Blair County armed robbery suspect made off with only $250, court documents reveal
DUNCANSVILLE, Pa. (WTAJ) — Less than a day after Smokers Express in Duncansville was robbed, police arrested a suspect who allegedly admitted to only getting about $250 from the shop, recently filed court papers show.
Thomas Edward Talbert, 18, who police said was homeless at the time, was arrested and charged with robbery, theft, simple assault, tampering with evidence and reckless endangerment concerning the Monday morning robbery.
Police were called to the shop on 3rd Avenue around 9:18 a.m. March 24, after the panic alarm in the store was pressed. According to the complaint, officers arrived, but the suspect had already gotten away on an e-bike. Police from multiple departments proceeded to post photos of the suspect in a white hoodie, covering his face, wearing orange gloves and holding a gun at the shop employee.
Not long after, police said two women came to the store with concern that they knew who the suspect was, the complaint reads. They claimed it may have been Talbert, saying he was homeless and living in a friend's shed.
According to the complaint, a woman came forward shortly after finding the possible white hoodie and pants on her porch. She told police she saw the facebook posts and was familiar with who they belonged to, and went to the shed he was allegedly staying in to confront him.
Police were given a description of Talbert as he left the residence on another bike and he was soon taken into custody, claiming he was just riding home from the Antique Depot.
Talbert was taken to the Duncansville police station, where he was told they had questions about the robbery. According to the affidavit of probable cause, Talbert admitted, 'I did it.' When asked to further explain, he allegedly continued by telling police he needed money so he robbed Smokers Express. According to his account to police, he rode his friend's e-bike around the building a few times then parked it a bit away on the bridge. He said he went in with his face covered and hood pulled up. He asked for a carton of Newports and then pointed an airsoft gun at the cashier and demanded money.
When asked, Talbert allegedly said he got about $250 from the shop.
A search of the shed where Talbert was staying turned up a fake pistol, orange and black gloves, a black bandana, a carton of Newport cigarettes with one pack missing and a wallet with $200 was arraigned Tuesday morning and placed in Blair County Prison with bail set at $50,000.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 1.
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