Rutland man accused of trying to rob 3 local stores in 1 night

RUTLAND — A 31-year-old man from Rutland is being held without bail after police say he attempted to rob four local businesses, three in one night.

Tyler T. Edwards is facing felony charges of attempted larceny, attempted assault and robbery with a weapon, and assault and robbery with a weapon.

According to court records, on February 3, Edwards attempted to rob the Stewart’s Shop store on State Street at around 10:50 p.m. but the clerk refused to give up any money.

On November 20, police responded to a robbery reported at Stewart’s Shop on Woodstock Avenue at around 10:40 p.m.

This time the suspect entered with a knife, and after being refused cash, shoved the cash register off the counter.

Five minutes later police were called to the Jiffy Mart on North Main Street, where the suspect again demanded money and displayed a knife. He was again denied by the clerk.

State police say that at around 11:10 p.m. they were alerted to another robbery at the Sunoco Gas Station and Sandri Store on Route 7 in Rutland Town.

Again, a man displaying a knife walked in and demanded money. This time the store clerk complied, and the suspect left with an undisclosed amount of money.

Edwards was picked up by police after a Jeep he was a passenger in was stopped by police.

Police recognized a coat inside the vehicle that was described by store clerks as being worn in the attempted robberies.

Police say Edwards admitted to the crimes and claimed it was because he was desperate for drug money, and went to a motel on North Main Street to buy drugs after the last robbery.

He pled not guilty in court on Monday to the charges against him.