A Patriot man is in police custody after reportedly being involved in a series of robberies – including one here in Switzerland County.
Last Wednesday, July 30th, law enforcement officials were called to Fisk’s General Store in Patriot. Deputies were told that a white male, approximately 6’1″ tall with blonde hair, wearing a black shirt, white shorts, and multi-colored tennis shoes; entered the store to purchase an item.
When the store clerk opened the cash drawer after ringing up the price, the suspect grabbed a handful of money from the cash register and ran out the door. The clerk told police that the bandit did not display any weapon.
As the investigation continued, authorities received information that a suspect whom they were looking for may be found in the Cincinnati area.
At approximately 10:45 p.m. on Wednesday night, Indiana State Police troopers, with the assistance of Cincinnati Police and Hamilton County (Ohio) Sheriff’s deputies, arrested 30-year old Justin Gosciniak of near Patriot at the Rest Inn Motel on Central Parkway in Cincinnati.
Justin Gosciniak was taken into custody without incident and is now being held at the Hamilton County Justice Center in Cincinnati awaiting extradition back to Indiana to face charges related to the robbery.
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The arrest of Justin Gosciniak didn’t end the investigation.
The Lawrenceburg Police Department issued a press release that on Friday, July 25th, Lawrenceburg Police officers were called to the K & K Mini Mart, 507 Eads Parkway.
The clerk on duty stated that a male subject had entered the Mini Mart, and during a purchase transaction, when the cash drawer opened the subject grabbed a stack of money from the register and fled the store.
After further investigation, Lawrenceburg Police identified the suspect as Justin Gosciniak.
As Lawrenceburg police were trying to identify and then locate Justin Gosciniak, investigators learned that he was also a suspect in a robbery in Lake City, Tennessee; and also another robbery in Rocky Top, Tennessee.
Lawrenceburg Police Detective Jeremy Shepherd was traveling to Switzerland County to find and interview a witness when the robbery occurred at Fisk’s General Store.
Detective Shepherd then shared his case information with officials investigating the Fisk General Store robbery.
According to the Lawrenceburg Police Department, as a result of the K & K Mini Mart investigation, Justin Gosciniak has been charged with Robbery, a Level 5 felony; and Theft, a Class 6 felony.