Five charged in South Union robbery and assault
Five Fayette County residents are facing charges after police allege they assaulted and robbed 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.
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.
Both Wilson and McKnight were arraigned Wednesday while arrest warrants remain active for the other three suspects.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Teets, Bendishaw and Chipps is asked to call police at 724-439-7111.