Albany County District Attorney Lee C. Kindlon announced today that a 34-year-old Albany man who robbed the tip jar at the Skinny Pancake on North Pearl Street and then threatened an employee is heading to state prison.

The Honorable Andra Ackerman sentenced Benjamin Winter to serve three to seven years in state prison after he pleaded guilty to Robbery in the Third Degree and admitted to a violation of his probation terms.

On June 15, 2025, Winter entered the Skinny Pancake just before 7:30 p.m. and stole a $10 bill from the tip jar. When an employee confronted him and tried to call police, Winter placed the money in his mouth and swallowed it.

He then pulled out a long metal object, threatened the employee with it and chased him away.

Winter was arrested a short time after on Lark Street. He was on probation for a burglary earlier last year at a Stewart’s Shop, where he stole nearly $100 worth of cigarettes.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Taylor Cupp of the Major Crimes Unit.