Alleged blowtorch robbery suspect pleads not guilty

A 41-year-old man pleaded not guilty on Friday in incidents where he allegedly used a blowtorch and Taser to rob three convenience stores in Glendale, Long Beach and Carson, officials said.

Jermeile Hairston was charged with three counts each of second-degree robbery and criminal threats, and one count of possession of flammable material, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

At around 10 p.m. on Saturday, Hairston allegedly entered Gardenia Market and Deli in Glendale, purchased a cup of coffee and left.

He returned about 15 minutes later and walked toward the back of the store, seeming to wait for customers to leave, according to Glendale Police spokeswoman Tahnee Lightfoot.

He then went behind the counter where the store clerk was sitting and allegedly pulled out a blowtorch and a lighter, lit the torch and demanded money.

Prosecutors said he threatened to kill the store clerk.

He reportedly made off with an unknown amount of cash and a bottle of vodka.

Hairston was convicted of aggravated robbery in 1994 in Hamilton, Ohio, according to the district attorney’s office.

He is being held on $420,000 bail and is slated to appear in court next month.