Kent Couple Facing Robbery Charges

PAIR STOLE BEER FROM MARKET, STRUCK STORE DETECTIVE

Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith reports the arrest of a Kent couple on robbery charges after they allegedly stole beer from a local supermarket. A store detective was reportedly punched when he tried to stop them. Mr. Eric A. Hawkins, aged 29, and his girlfriend, Ms. Jennifer Giorgio, aged 44, both of 8 Muscarella Court in Kent, face felony charges in the case.

At about 10:45 a.m. on March 21st, Deputy Sheriffs Christopher Tompkins, Christopher Irwin and Paul Maglietta were dispatched to a 911 call from the ShopRite Supermarket located on Route 52 in Carmel. A store detective at the market told deputies that a man and woman–later identified as Mr. Hawkins and Ms. Giorgio–had allegedly stolen beer and soft drinks from the market and that Mr. Hawkins had allegedly punched the store detective when he tried to stop them. The suspects fled the scene prior to the deputies’ arrival.

Sheriff’s deputies and investigators, with assistance from the Town of Kent Police Department, searched the area and later located the suspects in Kent. The pair were arrested and charged with robbery in the second degree, a class C felony.

The defendants were arraigned before Town of Patterson Justice Michael Caruso, acting on behalf of the Carmel Justice Court. Mr. Hawkins was remanded to the Putnam County Correctional Facility without bail, owing to the fact that he reportedly has two prior felony convictions. Ms. Giorgio was committed to the jail in lieu of $25,000.00 cash bail or $50,000.00 bail bond. The defendants await further proceedings in the Town of Carmel Justice Court. If found guilty of robbery, they could face up to fifteen years’ imprisonment and fines of up to $15,000.00.