Federal authorities have charged a Youngstown man who confessed to two robberies and one attempted robbery at Valley businesses.

A criminal complaint has been filed in U.S. District Court charging 43-year-old James Coker with Interference with Commerce by Robbery.

Coker, who has been in the Mahoning County jail since his arrest on June 2, allegedly pulled a gun on a cashier at Truck World in North Jackson on May 27, taking around $500 according to an affidavit filed with the complaint.

The following morning, investigators say Coker held a “large revolver” at the Shell true North on E. Midlothian in Youngstown and demanded that the clerk open the cash register drawer. When the clerk refused, the suspect left the store.

One day after that, authorities say a suspect fitting Coker’s description held a gun and cleaned out the cash drawer at the Rite Aid on Mahoning Avenue in Youngstown.

Using surveillance video, investigators identified the suspect as Coker and arrested him on June 2 at a home on Glenwood Avenue where he had been staying.  Authorities say they found clothing items similar to those used in the robberies and an air pistol.

When questioned, Coker admitted to the three incidents, according to the affidavit.