W. Scranton man charged in two robberies

SCRANTON – A 20-year-old West Scranton man was charged with committing an armed robbery of the Sunoco Gas Station, 1227 S. Main Ave., on Aug. 14 in addition to a separate street robbery just days earlier.

When questioned by detectives, police said Christian Matthew Cox of Rock Street admitted to committing the robbery because he was recently laid off from his job and needed the money so he didn't have to live on the streets. Cox allegedly said he discarded the clothing he wore during the robbery and the gun he used in an alleyway while he was running from the scene and agreed to show detectives where he discarded the items.

Detective James Pappas recovered a BB gun that resembled a semi-automatic handgun in an alleyway near Gerrity's Supermarket in West Scranton that was allegedly used in two robberies by Cox. The second robbery was on Aug. 9 on the 300 block of S. Main Ave. The victim reported being robbed at gunpoint and provided a physical description of the suspect that met Cox's description.

According to a press release, Detective Michael Schultz recovered the victim's access card and brown wallet with the belongings of Cox while investigating the Sunoco robbery. Cox allegedly admitted to also committing that robbery and said he stole the victim's gym bag, wallet, and access card because he needed money.

Cox was charged with robbery, theft by unlawful taking, simple assault, and recklessly endangering another person for his role in the Sunoco armed robbery; he was charged with robbery, theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, simple assault, and recklessly endangering another person for the Aug. 9 robbery.

Cox was transported to the processing center for processing and arraignment.