Lynn robbery suspect pleads innocent

SALEM – A Lynn man, who is facing a potential life sentence for allegedly robbing a variety store two months ago of an undisclosed amount of money, remains held on $2,500 cash at the Middleton Jail, after saying he committed no crime.In Salem Superior Court Friday morning, Derek R. Koloski, 39, of 88 Eastern Ave., #2, pleaded innocent to a charge of unarmed robbery before Judge Robert A. Cornetta.The judge agreed to set the same cash bail as was previously ordered in Lynn District Court at the joint recommendation of the prosecutor and defense, and agreed that the defense may seek a bail review at another court date.The charge arises out of an incident on Feb. 5 when the suspect, allegedly wearing goggles and a green jacket, walked into Norm’s Variety Store, located at 425 Eastern Ave., around 1:30 p.m. and demanded money from the store clerk.Koloski reportedly grabbed an undisclosed amount of cash from the till and dashed from the store.Police immediately responding to the holdup arrested Koloski a few minutes later on Harvest Street. At the time of his arrest police said he was still wearing the same clothing as described by the store clerk.Koloski is due back in court on May 2 for a pretrial hearing.