Investigators are working to figure out what caused an Armstrong County bowling alley and tavern to burn to the ground hours after a masked man entered the business and stole a cash register containing about $600.
For now, state police from Kittanning are investigating the robbery and fire as separate incidents, though police want to question the masked suspect to be sure.
The robbery occurred about 10:45 p.m. Monday at the Greendale Tavern and Lanes along Route 85 in Valley Township.
ARMSTRONG COUNTY, Pa. — https://twitter.com/WPXI_Brandon/status/537253858352058368
“A male came in the door wearing dark clothing. He went inside and cut the cord to the cash register and took the cash register out the door,” said Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Terry Geibel.
The owner reported the robbery and stayed at the business until about 1 a.m. Tuesday. The business closed an hour later but by 3:30 a.m. the bowling alley was on fire.
Crews worked through the morning to control the blaze, which destroyed the business. The fire is being investigated as suspicious.
“Even when I was a teenager, we would go there and go bowling,” said Mary Kaplon, who lives next door on Route 85. “My grandson was just there on Sunday for a bowling party.”
Nobody was hurt.
WPXI
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