Christmas Eve Robber Sentenced to Jail, Probation

by Jonathan Weaver

A Ford City man scheduled for trial after an armed robbery, simple assault and theft at a Manor Township gas station/convenience store this past Christmas Eve instead pled guilty earlier this week to the most serious charge.

Michael Zilla, 37 of Fifth Avenue, pled guilty Monday to stealing more than $400 from Sheetz along State Route 422 and threatening to physically menace a cashier with a gun early December 24.

Zilla was sentenced by Court of Common Pleas President Judge Kenneth Valasek to serve two to four years in jail, another year of probation and perform 50 hours of community service after Zilla pled guilty to the felony count of robbery. No penalty was assessed for the remaining four alleged crimes.

According to the criminal affidavit filed by Pennsylvania State Police troopers the morning of the incident, Troopers Andryka and Rowe were responding to the 9-1-1 radio dispatch at about 12:20AM when Manor Township Police Officer Steven Cippel alerted emergency responders to a truck traveling at a high rate of speed east on Route 85.

Police troopers found the truck – a 2004 grey Ford F150 – at Rayburn Manor Apartments about 10 minutes later and viewed in plain view a long gun on the vehicle’s passenger-side floor – which was found to belong to Zilla.

Armstrong 9-1-1 dispatchers alerted police at the time that Zilla was to be wearing a black hat, camo jacket and blue jeans, as well as face paint – a description that several eyewitnesses at the apartment complex saw in the early hours last week.

Zilla was taken into custody shortly before noon later Christmas Eve in Ford City Borough. He was arraigned that afternoon in Kittanning.

Zilla has served 320 days in the Armstrong County Jail since his arrest and will receive credit for all time served, but is ordered not to re-enter the store.

4 Comments

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  By worthingtonman, November 10, 2016 @ 8:01 AM

  There you go again Valasek. 2 to 4 years in the county jail for armed robbery with a deadly weapon! This serious crime should have drawn a 10 to 20 year sentenace in a state correctional facility. Does it make anyone feel good that this junkie will be back in the street soon after his slap on the wrist? Like I said before. Good riddance Valasek!!
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  By jd718, November 10, 2016 @ 8:36 AM

  Good riddance Valasek!! Grow Up Worthy, why bring a retired judge into this? Besides Valasek has done more for the County than you ever will! Again, Grow-Up!!
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  By concernedformykids, November 10, 2016 @ 1:05 PM

  I wonder how you would feel about this sentence JD, if the person he pulled the gun on was your son/daughter working for extra cash while in college, or perhaps even an older parent working part time for some extra bucks?
  Bottom line, the DA offers a plea agreement so he doesn’t have to put in the hours, and Judges slap them on the wrist, give them time served, and empty the jail to cut costs, except this guy will be back terrorizing another innocent victim this Holiday Season! Don’t you just Love Armstrong County!
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  By jd718, November 11, 2016 @ 6:53 AM

  @concernedformykids, I’d still feel the same way, it’s always easy to say what you have said from the outside of how the law has to work! This guy got 2-4 years, he will do 2, so, how does he walk the streets terrorizing this Holiday Season!

  I had two childhood friends Murdered in Armstrong County and neither Murderer got more than 9 years! One friend was shot in the back 8 or so times! Are you still wondering how some one might feel about things You don’t know?

  I stand by what I said in that post to Worthy!

  “Valasek has done more for the County than you ever will! Again, Grow-Up!!”

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