City Armed Robbery Suspect's Case Up in the Air

A Portsmouth man charged with committing an armed robbery with a baseball bat at the Wren's Nest Hotel earlier this month is now waiting for a Portsmouth Circuit Court judge to decide if there is probable cause.

According to Portsmouth Circuit Court officials, Cory Jarest, 27, of 9 Kent St. in Portsmouth had his probable cause hearing on March 21 and Judge Sawato Gardner took the matter under advisement. As of Monday morning, no decision regarding probable cause for Jarest had been made.

Jarest was arrested by Portsmouth Police on March 14 after police officers responded to a reported fight at the Lafayette Road hotel at 2:45 p.m. and found several individuals involved.

Portsmouth Police Lt. Russell Russo said Jarest was charged with strong armed robbery a class B felony. Police said Jarest left the scene and returned a short time later. Russo said Jarest was also charged with two counts of second degree assault, a class A felony, and one count of attempted armed robbery, a class A felony.

Russo said two people were treated and released at the scene for minor injuries by Portsmouth Fire Department. No one was transported to the hospital. Jarest was ordered held on $20,000 cash bail when he was arraigned in Salem District Court on March 15.

If probable cause is found, Jarest's case will be forwarded to a Rockingham County Grand Jury for possible indictment.