SACO — An Old Orchard Beach man has been sentenced to 3 1/2 years in prison and three years probation for robbing the Saco Bay Variety convenience store.

On Dec. 9, Mark Cassette, 27, of 14 Wilson Drive, Old Orchard Beach, pleaded guilty to the Feb. 10 robbery of the convenience store, according to a statement from Deputy Police Chief Jeffrey Holland. He was sentenced to eight years with all but 42 months suspended followed by three years probation, according to Holland.

On Feb. 10 around 8 p.m., Cassette, dressed in a tan jacket, gray hooded sweatshirt and black knit cap, entered Saco Bay Variety, located at 216 Beach St. in Saco. He was armed with a knife and demanded money in the cash drawer, according to Holland.

The owner of the convenience store refused and reached for a piece of pipe under the counter, at which point Cassette turned and ran from the store, and the owner followed him, according to Holland.

A vehicle matching the description of Cassette’s was found driving away from the Quick Stop Store on the Ocean Park Road headed toward Old Orchard Beach. A police officer followed the car to 14 Wilson Drive in Old Orchard Beach, where Cassette jumped out of the car and ran into the residence, according to Holland.

Old Orchard Beach and Saco police officers surrounded the residence, and after 90 minutes, with the assistance of an Old Orchard Beach police department negotiator, took Cassette into custody.

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