Police: Other Mohawk Valley incidents linked to homicide suspect

New York State Police today said a homicide suspect arrested Monday night in connection to a Verona convenience store robbery is believed to be linked to three other incidents in the Mohawk Valley.

Jack Allen Jr., 36, of Constable, is accused of killing his aunt and then fleeing to the Mohawk Valley, where he allegedly robbed the New London Mini-Mart in Verona shortly after 6 p.m. Sunday night.

After publicizing Allen Jr.'s photo in the local media, state police Troop D Commander Major Frank DeGennaro said an anonymous caller led police to Allen Jr.'s whereabouts.

Allen Jr. was located inside a residence at 1575 Kemble St. in Utica, where he was trying to escape through the back door as police arrived, police said.

Police then charged Allen Jr. with third-degree robbery.

Currently, however, police are investigating other incidents that Allen Jr., a former resident of Lee Center, is alleged to have been involved in:

* An alleged robbery in Washington Mills.

* A burglarly at Smurfitt-Stone Inc. in Campion Road in New Hartford.

* A gasoline drive-off without paying at a Nice-N-Easy in Rome.

No further information was available at this time regarding Allen Jr.'s link to the death of his aunt, Mary Allen, whose body was found at about 6:20 p.m. Sunday.