Man Accused of Attempting to Rob Cranberry Walmart Claims It Was ‘Just a Joke’

| March 15, 2019

CRANBERRY TWP., Pa. (EYT) – Charges have been filed against a man who allegedly told employees at the Walmart store in Cranberry Township to “give me all your money,” and then said it was “just a joke” when police arrived.

Court documents indicate 56-year-old Gregory George Murrow, of Oil City, was arraigned in front of Magisterial District Judge Patrick E. Lowrey at 11:18 a.m. on Thursday, March 14, on the following charges:

  • Robbery – Inflict Threaten Imminent Bodily Injury, Felony 2
  • Theft by Unlawful Taking – Moveable Property, Misdemeanor 1
  • Disorderly Conduct Hazardous/Physical Offense, Misdemeanor 3

According to a criminal complaint, around 8:29 a.m. on Thursday, March 14, Franklin-based State Police Troopers were dispatched to Walmart in Cranberry Township, Venango County, for a robbery in progress. Troopers Johnson, Falco, and Anterock arrived at the scene and located the suspect, identified as Gregory Murrow, detained him at the service desk, and asked him for his identifying information, which he provided.

Trooper Johnson then spoke to the two Walmart associates about their interactions with Murrow.

According to the complaint, the first associate said she was working at the service counter on the morning of Wednesday, March 13, when Murrow arrived. She reported that Murrow addressed her by her first name and told her “this is a friendly robbery, give me all your money out of your drawer and make no sudden moves.” The associate said she was terrified and just looked at Murrow, who then told her that he was there to pick up $2,500.00 from a money transfer. The associate provided Murrow with the money transfer and he left the store.

The associate was working at the service counter again on Thursday, March 14, when Murrow arrived. The associate reported that Murrow asked her to get him receipts from his cash transactions at Walmart and advised her he needed to do some shopping. The associate noted that she was immediately afraid when she saw Murrow.

According to the complaint, a second associate stated she was working at the self-checkout registers on Thursday, March 14, when Murrow arrived. The associate reported Murrow was acting nervous, and she helped him with his order. Following the transaction, the associate said Murrow stated “this is a friendly robbery, give me all your money out of your register,” at which point the associate used her portable radio to relay a special Walmart code that indicated a robbery was in progress. Murrow heard her place the call and then said he was kidding. He then walked to the service desk where he was detained moments later.

The complaint notes that when Trooper Johnson spoke to Murrow, Murrow admitted to asking for the money in the cash register but claimed he “does that all the time” and it was “just a joke.” He also denied ever saying the word “robbery” when asking for the money.

Murrow was taken into custody and lodged in the Venango County Jail. Bail was denied with the reason listed in the court documents as “Transient – flight risk.”

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 20, with Judge Lowrey presiding.


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