Duo could pay big for alleged theft of smokes

A Clifton Park man and a Troy woman both face 40 years in prison for their alleged roles in the knifepoint robbery of a corner store that netted eight packs of cigarettes, police said. The robbery unfolded about 11:45 p.m. Sunday, when a man cloaked in a ski mask and wielding a large kitchen knife barged into LeBeau's Grocery at 350 Fourth St. and demanded cash, Capt. John Cooney said. The clerk fought off the man, who swiped eight packs of cigarettes before he ran off, Cooney said.

Police became suspicious when they interviewed witness Pamela Richardson, who said she saw "nothing of value to the investigation" and quickly left the scene, the police spokesman said. Officers watched Richardson climb into a car driven by Kevin Pooler, Cooney said. Police stopped the car, allegedly found the cigarettes and the mask inside and arrested both Pooler and Richardson. According to police, Richardson admitted to being Pooler's accomplice. Pooler, 22, of 203D Halfmoon Circle, Clifton Park, and Richardson, 32, of 115 Sweeney Apartments, Troy, were each charged with one count of first- and second-degree robbery.

A first-degree robbery conviction carries a sentence of up to 25 years in prison; second-degree robbery up to 15 years. Pooler also was charged with criminal possession of a weapon and multiple motor vehicle violations. Both were arraigned in Troy City Court and sent to Rensselaer County Jail without bail. It's the second time LeBeau's Grocery has been robbed in less than 10 months. On July 8, a man entered LeBeau's around 1:20 p.m., bought a beverage at the counter, punched the clerk in the face, reached into the cash register and grabbed more than $200 in cash before running away.