'Spider-Man' Nabbed After He Allegedly Tried to Rob a Convenience Store

Jonathan Hewson, 21, is facing a robbery charge.

ByABC News
September 21, 2013, 1:11 PM

Sept. 21, 2013— -- A University of Pittsburgh college student is facing a robbery charge after he allegedly tried to hold up a convenience store dressed as Spider-Man, authorities said.

Police arrested Jonathan Hewson, 21, early Friday morning after he allegedly walked into a convenience store and yelled at the clerk, "How much money you got?" ABC Pittsburgh affiliate WTAE-TV reported.

But when the clerk pulled out a Taser, Hewson's spidey senses began to tingle and he fled.

Police found Hewson about 30 minutes after the incident occurred, just a block from the store, and still dressed in full costume, WTAE-TV reported. Authorities said he did not have a weapon on him.

Hewson's roommate, Chris Esposito, said he believed his friend's bizarre behavior was a harmless prank gone awry.

"I think it's just a big misinterpretation, and everything that's being said of him has been misinterpreted," Esposito told WTAE-TV.

"He's a 'Spider-Man' enthusiast. He's just a college kid, and college kids tend to do strange things," he said. "He's not doing anything malicious or with bad intent."

Hewson was in custody today at Allegheny County Jail, a jail spokeswoman told ABCNews.com.

Pittsburgh Municipal Court Judge James Motznik arraigned Hewson on a robbery charge, set his bail at $50,000 and ordered the college student to undergo a mental evaluation, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported.

Hewson's family did not immediately return ABC News' phone calls.

The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police did not respond to ABC News' request for comment.