Robbery Suspect Arrested In Hazleton

​On Tuesday, March 17th, 2020, at approximately 2028 hours, members of the Hazleton City Police Department's Patrol Division, responded to reports of an Armed Robbery at Craig's Food Mart, located at 517 West Broad Street, in the City of Hazleton. It was reported that an unknown male entered the store, wearing a dark colored coat, dark colored pants, and a grayish colored beanie hat, inquiring about cigarettes. The unknown male asked the employee if he can purchase two (2) cartons of Newport Cigarettes, to which the employee replied no, they only sell single packs of cigarettes.


At this time, the unknown male placed his left hand into his left pocket and told the employee that he was in possession of a firearm. The male then went behind the counter and the employee advised him that the money is in the cash register. The male then grabbed United States Currency out of the register drawer, and then began to leave. However, prior to leaving the store, the male stopped and also stole one (1) pack of Cigarettes.


The unknown male subsequently fled the store on foot.
 
Upon further investigation by Detective's and Police Officers from HPD, the male was identified as 30 Year Old, Gary Joseph CIENIAWA, of West Hazleton, Pennsylvania. CIENIAWA was apprehended and processed on Criminal Charges of Robbery (F1), Receiving Stolen Property (M2), Possession of a Controlled Substance (Synthetic Marijuana - M) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M). CIENIAWA was arraigned on these charges and subsequently remanded to the Luzerne County Correctional Facility in lieu of $500,000 bail.