'Give Me The Money Or You Know The Consequences'

NORTH READING, MA — "Give me the money or you know the consequences.''

Prosecutors allege that's what Daniel Christie, 35, of North Reading, told a frightened clerk at Lucky Mart convenience store as Christie lifted up his shirt and showed what appeared to be a gun in his waistband during the Friday morning robbery in North Reading.

In Woburn District Court on Monday, Christie pleaded not guilty to a charge of armed robbery. He stipulated that he is a "danger to society,'' but while the prosecutor wanted him held without bail, Judge Timothy Gailey released Christie on $250 cash bail, which he posted at the North Reading Police Station.

Christie's release on bail came with conditions that he must stay away from Lucky Mart and have no contact with the victim, wear a GPS monitoring device and remain under 24-hour home confinement with the exception of medical and legal appointments.

His next court date is a June 27 probable cause and a trial tentatively scheduled for Sept. 7.

Christie was arrested by North Reading police without incident on Friday after police posted a store security photo of the robber on social media and three different credible tips came in from members of the public.

Christie is allegedly the suspect seen in surveillance video footage walking into the Lucky Mart convenience store at 9:45 a.m. at 202 North St. on Friday, showing a handgun tucked into his waistband, and demanding cash from the clerk, police said.

In court the prosecutor noted that the suspect told the scared clerk, "Idon't want to hurt, give me the money or you know the consequences.''

When Christie was questioned by police after his arrest, he initially denied any involvement in the robbery, then alleged confessed but denied he had a real gun, but rather a BB gun, prosecutors said. Police recovered the BB gun from Christie's home, prosecutors said.

Photos courtesy of North Reading Police Department.