Portsmouth Armed Robbery Suspect Waives Probable Cause

A Portsmouth man charged with committing an armed robbery with a baseball bat at the Wren's Nest Hotel earlier this month has waived probable cause, according to Portsmouth Circuit Court officials.

Cory Jarest, 27, of 9 Kent St. in Portsmouth waived his probable cause following his probable cause hearing on March 21. Judge Sawato Gardner had taken the matter under advisement had not made a ruling at time of Jarest's decision. 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.

Jarest's case will now be forwarded for the Rockingham County Grand Jury for possible indictment.