Duo charged in Connellsville robberies
A man was arrested Sunday for allegedly robbing stores in Connellsville last week, and a warrant was issued for his alleged getaway driver.
William M. Strickler, 38, is charged with committing robberies in the city Thursday and Kimberly Dawn Ross, 35, of Connellsville is charged with conspiracy.
Four robberies and one attempted robbery were reported in the area last week. Connellsville police said they believe Strickler and Ross were responsible for additional robberies, but they have not yet filed charges in those cases.
Connellsville police said they received a report at about 8:15 p.m. Thursday that a man was attempting to rob the Sunoco gas station on McCormick Avenue. Police then received reports that a man brandishing a handgun robbed Vona蘑菇视频 Dairy Bar on East Crawford Avenue. The descriptions of the suspect matched, police said. Strickler allegedly stole about $180.
Police Officer Michael Stokes wrote in the affidavit of probable cause that he saw the man flee the store and get into the passenger side of a Ford Focus. The vehicle initially began to slow down, and then fled, according to Stokes.
Police said the vehicle stopped, and Strickler allegedly fled on foot down North Prospect Street. K-9 units from Uniontown and Perryopolis recovered clothing and a revolver-style BB gun from the area, according to the affidavit.
Ross, who is the registered owner of the vehicle, told police she allowed her boyfriend, Strickler, to use her car to buy tobacco.
Police obtained search warrants for a phone, which allegedly revealed conversations between the two saying they were 鈥渟ick as hell鈥� and were 鈥渘eeding to find cash.鈥�
Connellsville police said they captured Strickler with the assistance of state police Sunday. He allegedly admitted to his involvement in the robberies.
Strickler is charged with robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, attempted robbery, theft, aggravated assault, resisting arrest and two counts of simple assault. He is lodged in Fayette County Prison in lieu of a $75,000 bond.
Ross is charged with three counts of conspiracy to commit robbery, two counts of conspiracy to commit recklessly endangering another person, conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, conspiracy to commit simple assault, conspiracy to commit theft, disorderly conduct and fleeing or attempting to elude officers.
Last year, Ross pleaded guilty to 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 鈥淩ick,鈥� 鈥淔arzati鈥� and 鈥淎lbright,鈥� 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.