Police have charged a Lancaster city man with a pair of convenience store robberies, including one heist that led to the imprisonment of an innocent man for five weeks.

Jason T. Karlow, 32, is accused of committing knife-point robberies at Turkey Hill markets in Mountville Borough and Manor Township.

Karlow robbed the Turkey Hill on Columbia Avenue in Manor Township on Feb. 7 and then on March 18 targeted a store on East Main Street in Mountville, police allege.

Each time, the suspect was allegedly caught on surveillance cameras.

The first surveillance tape prompted police to suspect 28-year-old Clark Lilley of Christiana. Lilley, previously convicted of robbery, was arrested Feb. 12 and charged with the crime, based on the video and his prior record. Also, a store clerk identified Lilley as the robber after being shown a photo lineup.

Police withdrew the charges March 19, and Lilley was freed after a five-week stay at Lancaster County Prison.

Manor Township Detective Sgt. James Alexander said surveillance images from the March heist demonstrated Lilley's innocence.

"When the two surveillance videos were compared, it appeared obvious that it's the same person," Alexander said Sunday night. Lilley was in jail when the second heist happened.

One surveillance image from that robbery was released to the public, and police received tips from people who recognized the robber.

"The pictures were better at the second robbery. And they (caused) some people to tell us about Mr. Karlow," Alexander said.

Karlow was arrested Friday at an apartment in the 800 block of Fremont Street. He has not admitted committing the robberies, police said.

"Relatively small amounts of cash" were taken during the heists, Alexander said. Each time, the robber displayed a knife and demanded money, according to the detective.

District Judge Leo Eckert Jr. arraigned Karlow early Saturday and set bail at $25,000. Karlow hadn't posted bail by press time Sunday night.

Photographs show physical similarities between Karlow and Lilley.

Even Lilley's attorney conceded that the men look "very similar."

Lilley was a student at Lancaster Bible College when he was arrested and imprisoned. He has since re-enrolled at the college and gotten back his on-campus job.

Lilley served five years in prison for committing an armed robbery in 2001. At the time, Lilley admits, he was addicted to crack cocaine and other drugs.

Upon release from state prison, Lilley said, he turned to religion and cleaned up his act. He's attending LBC with hopes of becoming a pastor.

Lilley and his family have said they forgive investigators for charging the wrong man. They even commended Manor Township police on their investigative work.

Police have been open about the mix-up. They have granted interviews and discussed the case, keeping only vital trial evidence a secret.

E-mail: bhambright@lnpnews.com