By Mary O’KEEFE

The man thought to be responsible for several robberies including one in the 4100 block of Pennsylvania Avenue was in court on Wednesday where he was charged with robbing three convenience stores, armed with a blowtorch and a Taser.

Jameile Hairston, 41, faces three counts each of second-degree robbery and criminal threats and one count of possession of flammable material.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office also alleges Hairston was convicted in 1994 of aggravated robbery in Ohio.

The robberies took place on Jan. 17 and Jan. 18 and were investigated by the Glendale and Long Beach police departments as well as the L.A. County Sheriff’s Dept., Carson Station.

The incident in Glendale occurred on Jan. 17 at about 10 p.m. GPD responded to a silent alarm that had been activated at the business. A store employee reportedly told officers that a man entered the market, threatened him with a blowtorch and demanded cash. The employee complied and the man left the area.

Hairston was arraigned on Wednesday at L.A. County Superior Court, Glendale Branch. He is being held on a $420,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 11.

  Mary Okeefe