A 50-year-old Norwich man appeared in New London Superior Court Monday on charges that he assaulted a store clerk while carrying out an armed robbery of the Mig Gente Express convenience store on Jan. 22.

Billy Parrilla, 50, pleaded not guilty to first-degree robbery, third-degree assault, carrying a dangerous weapon, second-degree breach of peace, second-degree threatening and fifth-degree larceny. Norwich police arrested him near the city transportation center a short time after the incident. He is being held on a $175,000 bond at the Corrigan-Radgowski Correctional Institution and is represented by attorney M. Fred DeCaprio from the public defender's office.

According to a police report, Parrilla entered the store at 184 Franklin St. at 2:20 p.m. and attempted to cash a check to make a purchase. The clerk told him the store didn't cash checks and he left, saying he would return with cash. Seconds later, the report says, he returned to the store, displayed a black kitchen knife and ordered the clerk to open the cash register. The clerk opened the register, and after Parrilla reached over and took money, the clerk pulled the knife away from him. Parilla then pulled the victim by the arm in an attempt to gain control of the knife, then grabbed her by the hair and slammed her head against the counter, according to the report. During the brief struggle, the clerk swung the knife at Parrilla and injured his right hand. He took control of the knife, pushed the victim and continued to take money from the register.

Parrilla left the store, and the victim followed him onto Franklin Street and began yelling for help, according to the report. A witness approached Norwich officer Andre Rosedale near Washington Street and said he had been following Parrilla, who appeared to be headed for the transportation center at West Main Street and Falls Avenue. Minutes later, Rosedale placed Parrilla under arrest as he tried to get into a van at the transportation center. He was in possession of $505, according to the report.

A Groton Town Police Department K9 unit was able to recover a kitchen knife, backpack and a black jacket matching the clerk's description of Parilla's clothing.

k.florin@theday.com