A 17-year-old Scranton resident is behind bars following an armed robbery and a shootout at a local convenience store on Monday evening. Police allege that Elijah Cabassa held up the U.S. Mini Mart on Pittston Avenue just before 6:00 p.m., brandishing a firearm and removing an undisclosed amount of cash from the register. As Cabassa attempted to flee the scene on foot, he reportedly exchanged gunfire with the store owner; fortunately, no one was struck during the altercation. Officers flooded the area and apprehended Cabassa a short time later, recovering a weapon and the stolen currency.
According to a police affidavit, this was not Cabassa's first encounter with the business, as investigators believe he is responsible for a previous armed robbery at the same location. The teenager now faces a string of serious felony charges, including robbery and various firearms offenses. Due to the nature of the crime, he is being held at the Lackawanna County Prison on $75,000 bail. Cabassa is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing on April 6, where a judge will determine if there is enough evidence to send the case to trial.
