PORT ANGELES — A Forks man who allegedly fled from law enforcement twice in recent months has been charged with first-degree robbery.
John Planck Robinson, 32, was charged Thursday afternoon. He allegedly pointed a shotgun at a man while robbing him of heroin, methamphetamine and “thousands of dollars” in cash last November, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Matthew Roberson said Tuesday.
Robinson, who also is facing attempting to eluding a police vehicle charges in two separate cases, will be arraigned Friday.
Robinson was arrested Jan. 15 after he fled from a traffic stop on U.S. Highway 101 near Forks, the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office said.
He was wanted on a state Department of Corrections warrant for investigation of the robbery and another police pursuit that occurred in October.
“The defendant, in an effort to get away, drove at speeds in excess of 120 mph, passing in no-passing zones and around blind corners for at least 20-plus miles, your honor,” Roberson told Superior Court Judge Lauren Erickson on Tuesday.
In the alleged robbery on Nov. 5, Robinson was alleged to have taken 14 ounces of heroin, 10 ounces of methamphetamine and “thousands of dollars in money,” Roberson said.
“It’s concerning when somebody is alleged to have used a firearm in the commission of a crime, particularly a Class A felony,” Roberson added.
Erickson granted the prosecutor’s request for $100,000 bail in the case.
Robinson said he could not afford the bail.
“Even $50,000 is outrageous for me,” Robinson told Erickson.
“But it’s all right. I’ll take the tax dollars in a trial. That’s fine. And I’ll win. I’ll win because I didn’t do none of these things.”
Sheriff’s deputies said they spotted Robinson driving westbound on Highway 101 on Friday. Robinson had an active state Department of Corrections warrant with an officer caution notification for being an armed and a violent offender, deputies said.
“Deputies attempted to stop Robinson, who slowed down, then fled in his vehicle from the traffic stop,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a press release.
“Deputies pursued Robinson briefly before Robinson stopped his vehicle and was taken safely into custody.”
Robinson remained in the Clallam County jail Thursday.
He was being held for investigation on two counts of eluding a police vehicle and single counts of first-degree robbery, reckless endangerment and possession of a controlled substance.
Erickson said she found probable cause to hold Robinson.
“I’ve never robbed nobody in my life,” Robinson said.
Erickson signed an order preventing Robinson from having contact with the alleged victim.
Robinson said he is friends with the alleged victim and planned to called him for bail money.
“If I robbed (the alleged victim), why am I calling him for bail?” said Robinson, who repeatedly interrupted the Tuesday hearing.
“This is all bullcrap, man.”
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at rollikainen@ peninsula dailynews.com.
