This is one stupid person. Dale
HARRISBURG, Pa. — A retired police chief says he was robbed by "probably the dumbest criminal in Pennsylvania."
Jerome Blanchett is led from District Judge Michael Smith's court after being arraigned on robbery and related charges. A Harrisburg man is accused of robbing a former police chief this morning in the bathroom of a Holiday Inn that was hosting a conference for 300 narcotics officers.
Jerome Marquis Blanchett, who was awaiting trial of four previous robbery charges, was arraigned this morning before District Judge Michael J. Smith and taken to Dauphin County Prison.
"You're a danger to have on the street," Smith told Blanchett before setting his bail at $1 million.
John Comparetto, a retired police chief from New York, told police he walked into the men's bathroom at the hotel just before 8:30 a.m. and was confronted by Blanchett, who pointed a large semi-automatic handgun at him and demanded money and his cell phone, according to court papers.
After Comparetto handed over $138 and his phone, Blanchett said if he tried to follow him, he'd kill him, court papers stated.
After Blanchett left, Comparetto drew a firearm from his ankle holster and went after Blanchett, court papers stated. He and other officers took Blanchett into custody as Blanchett was trying to get into a taxi cab outside the Holiday Inn-Harrisburg East.
Blanchett, 19, of the 2000 block of Market Street, was charged with robbery, making terroristic threats, reckless endangerment, simple assault, carrying a firearm without a license and illegally possessing a firearm.
When asked for comment, Blanchett said, "I'm smooth," as he was being led from Smith's court.
