Suspect: Robbery try was joke
It was one order that a Butler pizza shop employee was not taking.
The employee at the Pizza Hut on West Cunningham Street twice told a medical mask wearing robber “no” to demands for the restaurant's money Thursday night, Butler police said.
The second time, the suspect left — empty-handed. Officers later arrested Scott A. Koosher, 55, of Butler, who allegedly claimed the incident was a joke.
District Judge Sue Haggerty arraigned Koosher on felony charges of robbery and attempted robbery. He is in the Butler County Prison in lieu $50,000 bond.
Police said they were called to the restaurant about 8:45 p.m. after a reported attempted robbery. The employee recounted that the suspect, whose attire included a medical mask, walked up to the front counter and said, “Give me all your money.”
The masked man was described as keeping his right hand at his waistline as if to suggest that he was concealing a weapon, possibly a gun.
When the worker replied, “no,” police said, the would-be robber stated, “I'm serious, give me all your money.”
The employee replied “no” a second time, according to investigators. The suspect walked out of the restaurant. No one was injured.
Officers reviewed footage from security cameras inside and outside the business. They also checked the city's surveillance cameras in that area.
The video, according to charging documents, showed the suspect leaving his apartment building on the 400 block of West New Castle Street and arriving at the Pizza Hut two minutes later.
After leaving the Pizza Hut, police said, he is seen returning to the apartment building — just four minutes from the time he arrived at the restaurant.
Police knocked on several doors at the apartment building before Koosher answered. He was wearing a maroon sweat shirt that matched the one the alleged robber had on as captured on the restaurant's security cameras.
Officers also found in the immediate area a medical mask that was next to a black hat, which the suspect was also seen wearing.
Koosher was arrested and taken to the police station. During an interview, he allegedly confessed to the suspected crime.
“Koosher stated that he only meant it to be a joke,” documents said, “and once he realized the (employees) felt uncomfortable he left.”
He also admitted that he was wearing the medical mask and hat, police said, that officers seized when he was arrested.
A preliminary hearing is tentatively set Aug. 31. Online court records did not indicate if he has an attorney.
