Arrest in Goodwill stores robbery spree near Baltimore

(CBS) BALTIMORE, Md. - Police have arrested a man in a string of armed robberies at Goodwill stores in Baltimore County, and say the suspect is a former employee of one of the shops that sells donated items, reports CBS Baltimore.

Authorities say 29-year-old Richard Pettaway worked at a Goodwill in Cockeysville, which was robbed twice. He's charged with five counts of armed robbery and three handgun charges.

"It makes it to me worse than if it was some desperate stranger off the street because he took advantage of the situation," said Vanessa Barnes, a Goodwill shopper.

Police say Pettaway would use the same plan of attack in each robbery.

"Pettaway would walk into the store. He would display a handgun, and would make the customers and employees walk into a back office of the Goodwill store, lock them inside and then take the money from the store," said Officer Shawn Vinson of the Baltimore County Police, told CBS Baltimore.

Police say Pettaway also robbed a store in Towson on three separate occasions.

Court records reveal Pettaway has been charged multiple times with armed robbery, theft, drug possession and assault, according to the station.

Still, many are baffled anyone would do harm to a place that does so much good.

"That's like going to a church and robbing it. Who really does that? That's just stupid," said Shawn Cox, a Goodwill shopper.

Investigators say they're looking into the possibility Pettaway was acting out of revenge, but say he could have targeted the stores because he is familiar with them. They have not confirmed a motive.

Pettaway was being held at the Baltimore County Detention Center without bail.

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