Whitcomb faces new robbery charge

By Jim Patten
jpatten@eagletribune.com

March 23, 2009 08:15 am

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LAWRENCE — A Methuen man being held for one store robbery is now a suspect in another.

Anthony Whitcomb, 33, of 11 Frederick St., who was accused last week of robbing the Golden House Chinese restaurant, 129 S. Broadway, is facing charges stemming from a robbery at Tesedchi Foods, 208 S. Broadway, on March 4, police said.

The suspect in the Tedesci robbery was captured on the store's security video system, which provided a clear image of his face. The man reached across the counter and scooped the cash from an open register. A store clerk was able to pick Whitcomb's picture out of a photo array shown her by police.

The man who robbed the Golden House used the same technique, police said. He asked for change for a quarter, and once the register drawer opened grabbed the money inside, police said.

Four police officers were having dinner at the time. They chased the robber, who was later identified as Whitcomb.

Whitcomb's nose was broken and his face cut when he resisted being arrested. Two officers were also injured in the scuffle, police said.

At his arraignment Thursday in Lawrence District Court, Judge Barbara Pearson revoked Whitcomb's bail in a Haverhill case and sent him to jail for 60 days. And, she set bail at $10,000 cash on the charges stemming from the restaurant