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Joshua Michael-Wade Lawler, 20, was arrested and arraigned in Sanilac County District Court on armed robbery charges. He plead not guilty to holding up the victim who works at the same Marlette Burger King on M-53 where he once was employed.

Police suspect Lawler is the culprit who hid near the bushes of Independent Bank, just north of Marlette, and waited for the employee to make a night deposit of proceeds from Burger King.

"He robbed the victim at knife-point, and fled on foot south on M-53," said Sanilac County Undersheriff Garry Biniecki. "A vehicle was seen driving on southbound M-53 a short time later."

Sanilac deputies received assistance searching for the suspect from the Michigan State Police Lapeer Post and police departments in Marlette, Brown City, Sandusky and the Drug Task Force.

"Good police work led them to the suspect," Biniecki said. "They recovered over $2,000."

Lawler, who has no previous record, is thought to have planned the robbery in a desperate attempt to pay his bills.

"It's just not worth it," Biniecki said. "You add up all the time he'll spend in jail if convicted. He could have been making more money picking up pop cans on the side of the road."

Lawler is being held on a $50,000 bond. He's scheduled for a Jan. 18 preliminary exam.

Susan Younger may be reached at (810) 664-0811, Ext. 8122 or susan.younger@lapeergroup.com