Categories: News, Schenectady County

COLONIE — A Watervliet man robbed a Colonie Taco Bell Tuesday and then fled to a nearby strip club, where police arrested him, police said.

Paul E. Rostick, 34, was arrested and charged with one count each of third-degree robbery and second-degree criminal mischief, felonies, along with petty larceny, a misdemeanor.

The incident began just before 7:30 p.m. at the Taco Bell at 676 Loudon Road as Rostick asked a Taco Bell cashier for change, police said.

The cashier could not immediately comply and Rostick responded by demanding money. He then pulled the cash register off the counter, causing $3,000 in damage, and threatened to kill the employee as he continued to demand money, police said.

The employee handed over $340 and Rostick fled the restaurant, headed across Loudon Road and into Nite Moves, a strip club located at 677 Loudon Road, police said.

Officers found Rostick inside the club and took him into custody without incident, police said.

There were several customers inside the Taco Bell at the time of the incident, police said. No injuries were reported.

Rostick was arraigned and released under supervision of probation. He is due back in court later.