Five charged in robbery of Ohio man
State police in Uniontown said five males, including three juveniles, have been arrested for allegedly assaulting and robbing an Ohio man early Sunday after he got lost and made a wrong turn into Bierer Wood Acres. Two of the juveniles have been charged as adults.
Joe Earl Hines, 17, of 322 Evans St., Uniontown, Isiah Dewayne Colbert, 19, of 106 Coolspring St., Uniontown, Travis Aaron Branch, 15, of 355 Cleveland Ave., Uniontown, Virdell Banks, 18, of 355 Cleveland Ave. and a 14-year-old black male have been arrested on robbery and assault charges, police said.
Hines and Branch were charged as adults, while the 14-year-old was charged as a juvenile.
The adult suspects were arraigned by District Justice Rick Vernon and committed to the Fayette County Prison in lieu of $100,000 cash bond. A preliminary hearing has been tentatively scheduled for Aug. 8.
Police said Christopher Volpe of Broad View Heights, Ohio, and Lisa Auerbach of Cleveland got lost while looking for a friend’s residence at 3:20 a.m. and made a wrong turn into the housing project in South Union Township.
Volpe’s car was allegedly blocked in and surrounded by the five suspects and a sixth person. One of them allegedly brandished a handgun and pointed it at both Ohio residents, police said.
Volpe’s wallet was stolen and he was beaten about the head and face, police said.
Police initially identified six suspects, but provided an update that names five.
The incident remains under investigation.