Man Sentenced to Prison for Armed Robbery in Woburn

A Lowell man was sentenced to to prison Tuesday for a pair of armed robberies, one at the Hess Gas Station in Woburn and a second at Mobile Gas Station in Stoneham.

Stephen Celona, 20, pled guilty Tuesday to charges of armed masked robbery and armed assault to rob. Celona was sentenced to one year to one year and a day in state prison followed by five years probation, according to Middlesex Distinct Attorney Marian Ryan.

On Saturday, January 17, 2015, Woburn police officers responded to a call at 306 Montvale Ave. for a reported robbery. Upon arrival at the Hess Gas Station, officers were told by the clerk that a man had entered the store brandishing a knife, wearing a mask, and robbed the clerk.

Less than an hour later, the Stoneham Police Department responded to a call at 96 Montvale Ave. for a reported robbery. Upon arrival at the Montvale Mobile Gas Station, officers were told by the clerk that a man had entered the store brandishing a knife, wearing a mask, and attempting to rob her. The clerk stated she fought back and the suspect fled the store.

Following a police investigation, Celona was identified as the masked male in both incidents and was arrested on Thursday, February 12.

Both incidents were investigated by the Stoneham Police Department and the Woburn Police Department, with assistance from the Lowell Police Department.