SOUTH PORTLAND – Early Saturday morning, Sept. 6, a male entered the Circle K convenience store located on Main Street in South Portland with a plan to rob the place, but he was successfully thwarted by the clerk on duty, according to a press release issued by the South Portland Police Department.

The release said that a man, later identified as Ronald Castrello, 45, wore a red hoodie and a black ski mask. He walked behind the counter and approached the clerk with his hand under his hoodie implying that he had a weapon and demanded all of the cash in the drawer.

According to police, the clerk grabbed Castrello’s arm in an attempt to defend himself and the two struggled until the clerk was able to get a chokehold on Castrello. A bystander then assisted the clerk and the two were able to keep Castrello restrained until the authorities arrived.

Castrello, of South Portland, was arrested and charged with Class B robbery, which is punishable by a jail term of up to 10 years. After his arrest, police learned that Castrello also had 11 outstanding warrants. He is currently being held without bail.

Ronald Castrello, 45, of South Portland, was arrested on Sept. 6 after attempting to rob the Circle K convenience store on Main Street. Courtesy photo