History repeated itself for William J. Whalen this week.
Less than two years ago, Whalen was arrested for the armed robbery of a downtown convenience store. On Tuesday evening, he was arrested again for the same reason, but this time with three times the charges.
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Man wanted for armed robbery is now in custody
Whalen, 23, is accused of holding up a downtown St. John’s convenience store on Feb. 12, and a gas station as well as a convenience store in the city centre on Feb. 17. He is alleged to have wielded a knife in all three incidents.
Police issued a warrant for Whalen’s arrest in September 2016 after he entered City Superette on Pleasant Street one evening around 11:30 and demanded cash and cigarettes before fleeing. He was arrested days later, and was eventually convicted of armed robbery, receiving a sentence of two years and nine months behind bars. He was released early.
Whalen appeared in provincial court in St. John’s Wednesday afternoon, where he was formally charged with three counts each of armed robbery and possession of a weapon, as well as a count of carrying a concealed weapon. He will make his next court appearance on March 1.
