The man suspected of robbing a Billings convenience store using a cup of hot chocolate appeared in Justice Court by video Monday. Michael Barreca Jr., 31, is charged with felony robbery, and his bail was set at $125,000.
Officers say the man walked into the convenience store about 8:30 p.m. Friday and filled up a cup of hot chocolate. When the clerk opened cash register to make change, surveillance video shows the man threw the hot chocolate in her face, took cash from the register and fled. Prosecutors say the robbery netted $48.
The clerk suffered minor burns and did not require medical attention.
Authorities arrested Barreca, Jr. of Billings on Sunday morning.