Man, Woman Facing Charges In Connellsville Robbery Incidents
CONNELLSVILLE (KDKA) -- A man and woman are facing charges in connection with armed robbery incidents in Fayette County.
William Strickler, 38, is no stranger to law enforcement. He was arrested after a series of robberies over the weekend starting at the Sunoco gas station on McCormick Avenue in Connellsville.
While on the way to that call, investigators say a Connellsville officer noticed suspicious activity.
"One of our officers happened upon Mr. Strickler exiting a second store on East Crawford Avenue, Vona's Dairy mart," said Cpl. Bryan Kendi, of Connellsville Police.
Strickler allegedly robbed the dairy mart, then ran a short distance and hopped in a car.
"He ran and there was a vehicle pursuit through the city," said Cpl. Kendi.
Police managed to capture Strickler and grabbed the getaway driver, identified as 35-year-old Kimberly Dawn Ross.
"She denied all involvement," Cpl. Kendi said.
But court records show Ross and Strickler are accused of conspiring to rob businesses to feed an alleged drug habit.
"They were both daily heroin users," said Cpl. Kendi.
Ross was actually supposed to report to jail on Monday after pleading guilty to her role in a scheme to intimidate and terrorize board members of the Mount Pleasant Area Junior Football League in the fall of 2015.
Strickler, meanwhile, is doing a lot of talking to police.
"We were able to positively identify him as our suspect for numerous robberies in Connellsville and some that have occurred in the surrounding townships," Cpl. Kendi said.
Strickler is being held in the Fayette County Prison on $75,000 bond. He is facing numerous charges, including, robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, theft, assault and resisting arrest.
Ross is in the hospital for an undisclosed ailment. She'll be charged once cleared by medical officials. She faces counts of conspiracy to commit robbery, conspiracy to commit recklessly endangering another person, conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, conspiracy to commit theft, disorderly conduct and fleeing or attempting to elude officers.
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