Alleged Connellsville robbery accomplice arraigned, new charges filed
The alleged accomplice in a Connellsville-area robbery string was arraigned Tuesday afternoon and lodged in Fayette County Prison.
Police filed new charges against both Kimberly Dawn Ross, 34, and William M. Strickler, 38, this week for allegedly conspiring to rob Sunoco on McCormick Avenue Jan. 15.
A Sunoco employee said a man robbed him after brandishing a hand gun and demanding money. Police said he stole about $250.
The suspects were identified Jan. 24 when Strickler allegedly attempted to rob the same Sunoco, but was unable to get inside. Police spotted him running from Vona’s Dairy Bar after he allegedly robbed that store instead and climbed in the passenger side of a Ford Focus. The car fled police until Ross allegedly stopped the car, and the duo fled.
Police then recovered the vehicle, two cellphones, clothing that was allegedly used in the robberies and a revolver-style BB gun.
That morning, Strickler also allegedly robbed BFS gas station in Dunbar Township.
A search warrant on the cellphones revealed a discussion about the two being “sick,” “needing money” and asking about drugs, according to court documents.
Strickler allegedly confessed to police he committed the robberies, according to court documents. He said Strickler gave him clothes and a handgun, drove him to the robbery sites and served as the getaway driver, according to police.
Ross and Strickler are facing charges in three cases including robbery, aggravated assault and theft. Strickler is also charged with resisting arrest, and Ross is also charged with fleeing or attempting to elude officers.
Strickler is lodged in Fayette County Prison in lieu of a $75,000 bond. Ross is lodged in Fayette County Prison in lieu of a $50,000 bond.
Ross was also charged last year for allegedly writing threatening letters to Mount Pleasant Area Football League officials in March. A letter written to head referee Edward Farzati threatened to notify the IRS about alleged back taxes if he did not resign. A letter written to league president Richard Albright said he would be killed if another child was hurt playing the sport, according to police. Police said 40 rounds of ammunition, some labeled “Rick,” “Farzati” and “Albright,” were found in the parking lot of Hurst Field where games are typically held.
Ross told investigators Joseph Vincent Loughner, 52, of Greensburg told her to write the letters. He was sentenced last week to four months of house arrest, with work release, followed by five years of probation. Ross pleaded guilty to writing the letters in October, but has not yet been sentenced.