Surveillance picture released by Wilkes-Barre police on Jan. 11.

Surveillance picture released by Wilkes-Barre police on Jan. 11.

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WILKES-BARRE — A homeless man was arrested Sunday on charges he robbed the Paris Mart and assaulted a store clerk earlier this month.

City police allege William H. Carter, 33, was recorded by a surveillance camera entering the store and throwing a bag over the counter while demanding cash on Jan. 11.

Carter was arrested outside a house in the 300 block of South Grant Street where he claimed he was helping to clean it out.

According to the criminal complaint:

A surveillance camera recorded a man outside the store at 11:08 a.m. and waited until customers left. The man entered the store at 11:13 a.m. and approached the counter where he tossed a bag at the clerk.

A clerk told police the suspect demanded money and kept his hand under his shirt and pointed either his hand or a weapon at him. When the clerk chuckled, the suspect grabbed him by the shirt and slammed him against the counter while another clerk emptied a cash register.

Police said the suspect, who was described as being tall and skinny, fled the store leaving behind the bag.

A surveillance picture of the suspect was released by police.

Police said the suspect was seen walking quickly on Essex Lane toward Stanton Street minutes after the robbery.

Police learned that a man matching the description of the suspect often walks on Essex Lane.

After learning the suspect’s first name and possibly staying a 390 S. Grant St., police went to the residence and encountered a man who matched the description of the suspect.

Carter initially told officers his name was Jason Carter but later identified himself with his true name, the complaint says.

When officers told Carter why he was being arrested, he allegedly replied, “a robbery.”

Carter was charged with two counts of robbery and one count each of theft, simple assault and false identification to law enforcement. He was jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $50,000 bail.