Four people accused in a robbery gone awry Tuesday morning in the parking lot of a Donegal Township motel were arrested hours later, state police said.
Christopher M. Graft, 46, of Scottdale, and Brian S. King, 51, of Mt. Pleasant Township, were charged by state police with harassment, simple assault, robbery causing bodily injury and theft. King’s wife, Lynn, 43, and Tammy Sue Trillo, 46, of Dawson, Fayette County, were arrested on robbery conspiracy charges.
The four were arrested at King’s home after an investigation into the 7 a.m. incident at the Days Inn off Route 31, according to Trooper Martin Mihelic.
Troopers allege in court documents filed before Ligonier District Judge Denise Thiel that Lynn King and Trillo used social media to set up a meeting with a man in the parking lot of the motel to settle an alleged cash debt “the victim owed.”
Mihelic reported in court documents the man was hoping to have a “relationship with Trillo” and agreed to meet.
When the man went into the parking lot expecting Trillo, he was instead met by Graft and Brian King, and an altercation ensued, Mihelic said.
Mihelic reported that witnesses say the man was struck multiple times by Graft and King and suffered lacerations and bruises.
According to reports, Graft and King did not manage to obtain any cash from the man, but did flee with his iPhone and motel room key.
Mihelic reported that the four were found later at the township residence “and admitted the altercation.” Police said they recovered the iPhone and room key there.
Thiel ordered Graft and Brian King held in the county prison after failing to post $15,000 and $10,000 bond, respectively. Lynn King and Trillo were released on $5,000 unsecured bond pending preliminary hearings Sept. 4.
Graft has multiple arrests dating back to 1997, including convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol, and for making terroristic threats after charges were filed by Scottdale Police in 2014. He received a probation sentence, according to online records.
Brian King was convicted of neglect of animals in 2019 after charges were filed by Scottdale Police. He was ordered to pay fines and court costs.
