A chance encounter Saturday in Fairfield Township helped state police identify three suspects who they believe robbed a man of $1,900 as he slept on his couch, according to court papers.

Lawrence James McLaughlin, 41, Michelle Veronica Stiffey, 29, and Maurice Terrell Patterson, 44, all of Johnstown, are charged with robbery, burglary and theft. McLaughlin and Patterson face additional counts of unlawful restraint, simple assault and harassment.

Troopers were called to a Johnston Street home just outside of Bolivar at 3 a.m. Saturday for a reported robbery, according to court papers. The resident told police he fell asleep on a couch and woke to a pillowcase over his head and his arms being restrained. Someone grabbed $1,900 from his pocket and the suspects fled, police said.

Several hours later, the man’s son gave McLaughlin a ride to a New Florence gas station after seeing him walking along Route 259 near his father’s home, police said. The son got suspicious after the suspect told him he had been at a party at his father’s home.

McLaughlin told investigators that he robbed a man with Patterson at the request of Stiffey, according to court papers. He is being held in the Westmoreland County Prison on $25,000 bail. A July 1 preliminary hearing is set. Stiffey is set for arraignment Friday and Patterson will be arraigned next week.

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