Person of interest singled out, not arrested in Shell heist

Jesse Hermonat (Rochester Police photo)

ROCHESTER - Police confirmed today they have identified a person of interest in connection with Sunday's robbery at the Milton Road Shell.

Jesse Hermonat, 19, of 319 Beverly Hills Drive, East Wakefield, was already charged in the unarmed robbery.

"We have a person of interest, he is known to police," Rochester Police Capt. Gary Boudreau said today, adding investigators have talked to all parties involved in the case and that the person of interest is the only individual now facing potential charges.

Rochester Police first got the call for the robbery around 11:35 a.m. and upon arrival learned a clerk at the store was confronted by a masked male who entered the store demanding money, which the clerk gave to him. No weapon was shown, police said, and the suspect fled.

The Rochester K9 team of Officer Keith Mackenzie and bloodhound Daisy Mae then tracked the suspect to nearby 14 Gina Drive, where Hermonat was arrested.

Hermonat, meanwhile, remains housed at the Strafford County Jail on $5,000 cash.

The same Milton Road Shell robbed on Sunday was targeted in a string of robberies during the summer of 2014.