Hammond man faces robbery charge

GOUVERNEUR — A Hammond man is in custody after he allegedly robbed the Stewart's Shop on East Main Street of about $3,700 late Tuesday.

Justin C. Measheaw, 25, of 425 N. Shore Road, was charged Thursday with first-degree robbery and third-degree grand larceny, village police said. The break in the case came when police received a tip Wednesday afternoon that led them to the former Gouverneur resident.

"We picked up a lead and we followed it," Police Chief David C. Whitton said. "It seemed very credible. We spent many hours following it up, which led to his arrest about 2:30 a.m. this morning in Potsdam."

Mr. Measheaw is accused of walking into the gas station armed with a handgun shortly before the 11 p.m. closing Tuesday. He confronted two clerks and demanded they "put money in the bag" from the safe.

A clerk activated a silent alarm when Mr. Measheaw left the store and ran toward downtown.

Mr. Measheaw called Colton resident Brian J. Hutton for a ride from a pay phone at McDonald's on East Main Street, court documents show. He reportedly confessed the crime to his friend while getting a ride to Potsdam. Mr. Hutton later called authorities about the incident.

Authorities picked up Mr. Measheaw early Thursday at the Smalling Motel on Route 11 in the town of Potsdam. Mr. Hutton doesn't face any charges.

State police investigators and troopers went door to door in the area Wednesday seeking information. The convenience store was open the next day.

Village police also were assisted by the St. Lawrence County Sheriff's Department. Village officers were exhausted after spending numerous hours tracking down tips.

"I'm pretty tired already," Chief Whitton said. "We are very satisfied that everything went well. We have a very compelling case."

Authorities said most of the money was recovered but didn't know a motive for the robbery. No weapon has been recovered yet and the investigation is continuing.

Mr. Measheaw was arraigned in Gouverneur Town Court and sent to St. Lawrence County jail, Canton, on $25,000 bail or $50,000 bond.