Men accused in Craigslist robbery found not guilty
Two Uniontown men accused of setting up robberies through the online advertising site Craigslist were acquitted by a Fayette County jury on Friday.
Warare Wilkerson and Roy Johnson Jr., both 21, were charged with robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, theft and other related charges in 2012. It took jurors less than an hour to reach the not guilty verdicts.
Attorney Vince Tiberi, who represented Wilkerson, said, “The only witness that could point at our clients was caught red-handed with the instruments of the crime. The victim could never identify the suspects.”
Johnson was represented by attorney James Natale.
According to police, the robbery occurred when the alleged victim, Mitch Chopyak, was contacted by one of the suspects through Craigslist. The suspect arranged the sale of an iPad for $250.
When Chopyak arrived on Hickle Street to purchase the iPad on Aug. 1, 2012, he was approached by three men, one armed with a handgun, police said.
He was robbed of the cash and two cellphones, police said.
“I hope Mr. Chopyak finds justice yet,” Tiberi said.
“But today the jury gave Warare Wilkerson and Roy Johnson justice because they were wrongly accused.”