A 17-year-old State College resident charged with felony robbery waived his right to a preliminary hearing on Wednesday, moving him one step closer to trial.
Gabriel Shull is charged as an adult with robbery and four misdemeanors, including simple assault, unlawful restraint, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of instruments of crime.
The charges are the result of an incident that happened at about 3 a.m. Monday morning. According to a news release from the Centre County District Attorney’s Office, police officers near West College Avenue and South Burrowes Street heard a woman screaming.
The officers reportedly chased a male fleeing the scene, following him to a nearby vehicle. After seeing what appeared to be a handgun on the floor of the car, Shull and a passenger were place in handcuffs.
Officers then received a call that saying that a woman had been assaulted by a firearm-wielding male that matched Shull’s description, according to the news release.
The woman told investigators she was walking along Calder Way when approached by Shull, who asked for directions. He then began following the woman and asking for money, before allegedly trying to steal her purse.
When the victim resisted, Shull allegedly brandished a gun, knocked the woman down and began dragging her by her hair. When she began to scream, Shull reportedly ran away.
After his arrest, police determined the firearm was actually a BB gun that closely resembles a handgun. Police say the BB gun had been stolen from Walmart before the alleged robbery attempt. A marijuana pipe was also found in the car.
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