A Columbia man was connected to a pair of violent robberies at local stores when police found a wig and clothing in a Dumpster outside his place of employment, according to testimony at a preliminary hearing.

Timothy D. Jenkins was ordered Tuesday to be tried on felony counts of robbery and related charges after detectives testified about the Jan. 5 robberies at Turkey Hill stores in West Hempfield Township and nearby Columbia.

Assistant District Attorney Travis S. Anderson presented testimony at the hearings that Jenkins displayed a knife during both robberies, assaulted the clerks and knocked them to the floor.

Police used surveillance video, information about the getaway vehicle, and evidence found in a Dumpster to charge Jenkins, according to testimony.

District Judge Miles Bixler bound the cases over Tuesday to Lancaster County Court.

Jenkins, 52, remains at Lancaster County Prison on $500,000 bail. He is presumed innocent.

On Jan. 5, the Turkey Hill at 342 Chestnut Street, Columbia, was targeted first. About 40 minutes later, the Turkey Hill at 1199 Prospect Road was robbed.

The robber took cash, cigarettes and lottery tickets.

Columbia police Officer Daniel Bell and West Hempfield Township police Detective Sgt. George Brace collaborated on the investigation and testified at the preliminary hearing.

They obtained information that clothing used during the robberies could have been placed in a Dumpster outside Jenkins’ workplace.

Police checked the Dumpster and found clothing worn during the robberies, and a wig worn during one of the robberies.

Officer Bell and Detective Brace filed charges.

MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright