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By Ed Lewis

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Robert Maurer is escorted into magisterial district court in Wilkes-Barre earlier this year. Ed Lewis Times Leader
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_Robert-Maurer-3-26-15.jpg.optimal.jpgRobert Maurer is escorted into magisterial district court in Wilkes-Barre earlier this year. Ed Lewis Times Leader

Huften
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_Richard-Huften-3-19-15.jpg.optimal.jpgHuften

WILKES-BARRE — Two men jailed on allegations they robbed Turkey Hill stores in Kingston and Wilkes-Barre were arraigned Tuesday for more stickups at the same store earlier this year.

City police allege Robert Stanley Maurer, 32, of Schooley Avenue, Exeter, and Richard Huften, 35, of Orchard Street, Plymouth, worked together when they robbed the Turkey Hill store on East Main Street on Feb. 20, March 7 and March 17, according to the criminal complaints.

Maurer and Huften have been jailed since their arrests by Kingston police on March 18 several hours after they allegedly held up the Turkey Hill store on Rutter Avenue.

The men have also previously been charged for another robbery at the Rutter Avenue, Kingston, Turkey Hill on March 13 and the East Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, Turkey Hill on March 12.

A city detective testified earlier this year that Maurer admitted to robbing multiple Turkey Hill stores in the area but investigators needed time to compare surveillance videos with his statement. Maurer allegedly told investigators he couldn’t remember how many robberies he committed because he was under the influence of Xanax and heroin.

Police allege Huften entered the East Main Street Turkey Hill to conduct surveillance before exiting to meet up with Maurer outside.

Maurer would then enter the store with his face concealed while demanding money from the clerks, the complaints say.

Maurer claimed Huften did not have the courage to rob the stores.

Police allege in the March 17 robbery, Maurer and Huften were given a ride to the store by a woman telling her they needed to collect money from a friend.

A clerk said Maurer displayed a handgun in his waistband during the March 17 holdup, according to the complaint.

Maurer and Huften were arraigned by District Judge Martin Kane on three counts each of robbery and theft. Maurer was further charged with illegal possession of a firearm and firearms not to be carried without a license.

They were jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $30,000 bail each.

Reach Ed Lewis at 570-991-6116 or on Twitter @TLEdLewis