Police say a man who had worked for the CoreLife Eatery restaurant on the Vestal Parkway is suspected of taking more than $1,000 from the business in a robbery.

The late-night incident at the University Plaza happened five days before Christmas.

Authorities say 33-year-old Mark Blackmon of Binghamton has been charged with second-degree robbery.

Blackmon was arraigned in  Broome County Court Wednesday morning after a sealed indictment was opened. He was sent to Broome County Jail to await further court action.

Vestal police detective Lt. Christopher Streno said investigators recovered a CO2 gun believed to have been displayed during the December 20 robbery. He said the gun appeared "very realistic."

Streno said the cash taken in the incident has not been recovered.

Vestal detectives were assisted by the Southern Tier Crime Analysis Center and the New York State Police Troop C narcotics division.

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com

For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

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