Man charged with robbing Erie convenience store of cigarettes

An Erie man was jailed Monday on charges that included robbery after police said he bullied a convenience-store clerk for cigarettes and walked out without paying for them Sunday night.

David J. Rapoza, 33, of the 3500 block of Eliot Road, was arraigned before Erie 2nd Ward District Judge Paul Urbaniak on charges of robbery, simple assault, retail theft and public drunkenness.

Urbaniak placed Rapoza in the Erie County Prison on $15,000 bond.

Police said Rapoza went to the Circle K store at 2917 Glenwood Park Ave. at about 8:20 p.m. Sunday and ordered a female clerk to give him cigarettes. Rapoza repeatedly swore at the clerk, scaring her into thinking that Rapoza was going to assault her, police wrote in the criminal complaint.

Police said Rapoza ran out of the store without paying for the cigarettes. He reportedly jumped into an occupied vehicle, jumped back out and began walking away from the store.

Officers who responded to the robbery call arrested Rapoza at East 30th and French streets.