A Chester County man is headed to trial for robbing four local Dollar stores – 10 times since January.
Tyree D. Holmes recently waived a preliminary hearing on 10 counts of felony robbery, and related counts, regarding the spree at stores in East Lampeter, Paradise and Salisbury townships in Lancaster, and a store in Chester County.
Holmes, 23, is at Lancaster County Prison on $950,000 bail.
(See Twitter feed for photo.)
Holmes targeted the same Dollar General and Family Dollar stores, leaving with cash and cigarettes after most of the heists.
But he also left behind evidence for police: his method of operation.
Viewing surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses, police noticed these similarities:
- He carried a gun with his left hand
- He brought his own bag for the loot
- He targeted stores only on Route 30 (Lincoln Highway East)
- He targeted the stores between 7:30 p.m. and 9:15 p.m.
- He wore a silver Halloween mask
Police showed the video to a Coatesville police detective who recognized the robber as Holmes, who was familiar to him.
Holmes was arrested following a Nov. 1 robbery.
They found many of the items involved in the robberies, and the loot, at his home.
Assistant District Attorney Erik Neiman was at the preliminary hearing waiver last week in Intercourse.
By waiving the hearing, Holmes doesn’t admit guilt, but concedes there is evidence to support charges. He is presumed innocent.
East Lampeter Township and Caln Township (Chester) police and Pennsylvania State Police filed charges.
MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright