State Police have arrested an Esperance man they said punched and threatened a one-armed man at the Duanesburg Stewart's, taking $30 from his wallet, before fleeing to his Burtonsville Road home--and then eluding police in the woods nearby until finally turning himself a day later.
Justin R. Annis, 31, of Burtonsville Road, Esperance, was charged with second-degree robbery and second-degree assault, both felonies, and jailed in lieu of $15,000 cash/$30,000 bond bail.
He is due back in court Thursday at 4pm.
State Police gave this account of the incident:
Troopers were dispatched to the Stewart's Shop on Route 20, Duanesburg Sunday morning to investigate an argument between two customers.
When they arrived, they discovered that the victim, a 68-year-old man with one arm, had numerous bruises on his face and head.
The victim, who was intimidated by Mr. Annis, initially did not want to press charges.
Police said Mr. Annis had punched the victim numerous times and took $30 from his wallet.
An alert customer recorded the license plate of the vehicle Mr. Annis left Stewart's in.
When troopers arrived at Mr. Annis' home, they discovered marijuana plants and marijuana.
At that point, Mr. Annis fled into a wooded area nearby.
His brother, Joseph S. Annis, 33, of Putnam Road, Schenectady, was arrested for unlawfully growing marijuana and unlawful possession.
He was issued an appearance ticket for Town of Charleston court.
When a search of the woods and surrounding areas did not turn up Justin Annis, troopers secured an arrest warrant.
Throughout the day on Monday, they checked various locations and interviewed numerous family members and friends in their effort to locate him.
Monday evening, Mr. Annis turned himself in to State Police at Princetown.
He was arraigned on the charges before Duanesburg Town Justice Camille Siano-Enders and sent to Schenectady County Jail.