Five arraigned in assault and robbery
State police said they have arraigned five Fayette County residents, each facing charges for allegedly assaulting and robbing a Uniontown woman outside a South Union Township bar on May 12.
Brandy L. Wilson, 24, of West Leisenring was charged with robbery, criminal conspiracy to commit robbery, theft, simple assault, criminal trespassing, disorderly conduct and harassment.
Additionally, Trooper James A. Pierce alleged that Steven Shawn McKnight, 28, of West Leisenring; Richard Wayne Teets, 27, of Gans; Jade Renae Bendishaw, 21, of Uniontown and Brittany Elizabeth Chipps, 22, of Hopwood were each charged with criminal conspiracy to commit robbery and theft, simple assault, criminal trespassing, disorderly conduct and harassment.
Police arraigned both Wilson and McKnight at the time the charges were filed and issued warrants for the arrest of the remaining suspects.
Pierce said that by Wednesday, all five suspects had been arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Joseph M. George Jr. and each placed in Fayette County Prison on $50,000 straight cash bond.
Pierce said the charges were filed after the group approached Beth Upton, 33, and Cindy Schrinel, 41, both of Uniontown, outside of Deb’s Brownfield Tavern shortly after 2 a.m.
Pierce said that because of prior incidents at the bar, four of the five suspects were banned from the premises.
When Upton and Schrinel, who both work at the tavern, were leaving the building, they were approached by the group and were physically assaulted, Pierce said.
He said that the group beat Upton until she was unconscious and then stole her purse. Upton was taken to Uniontown Hospital for treatment following the incident.
The suspects will face preliminary hearings on later dates before George.