7-Eleven robbery suspect caught
An alleged knife-wielding robber is behind bars thanks, in part, to a good Samaritan, authorities said.
Christopher A. Gratzinger, 30, who has no known address, was captured Tuesday night at a house in Butler Township.
Butler police had been looking for the heavily-tattooed Gratzinger since about 10 p.m. Monday when they say he held up a convenience store at knifepoint and made off with money and cigarettes.
He is accused of pulling the knife on a clerk at the 7-Eleven on Pillow Street under the guise of buying an iced tea drink. He demanded all the $20 bills, police said.
When the clerk advised him there were no 20s, according to court documents, he reached over the counter and removed all the money — $25 — from the register
He also grabbed two packs of Newport 100 cigarettes.
He left the store but police did not indicate if they believe he had a getaway car waiting for him.
Police reviewed surveillance video and immediately identified the suspect, Gratzinger, who has tattoos on his face, neck and body.
City officers have also arrested the defendant, a repeat felon, for prior crimes including a snatch-and-run robbery last year at another convenience store.
State police and other departments began searching for the suspect but to no avail. Enter the good Samaritan.
To learn more about how this wanted suspect was captured, read Thursday's Butler Eagle.
