WILLIAMSBURG — Three people are now in police custody after officers responded to a robbery on Monday.
On March 8 at 3 a.m., police officers were contacted by a 47-year-old woman reporting that she had been robbed. The woman told police she was contacted by a friend, Courtney Niles, 24, from Hampton, who asked to borrow $50, authorities said.
The woman agreed, but told Niles that she would need to go to the ATM to get the money, according to a news release from James City County Police on Monday.
Authorities said Niles and two other males picked the woman up from where she was staying on London Company Way to take her to use the ATM at the 7-Eleven located at 1800 Jamestown Road. Once the woman removed the money from the ATM, she gave it to Niles, and then they took the woman back to the residence.
“Once the vehicle returned to the area of London Company Way, both males produced firearms, demanded the victim’s ATM card and physically restrained her from exiting the vehicle,” according to the JCCPD’s news release. “When she was able to exit the vehicle, the victim was then assaulted by Niles before fleeing to safety and contacting police.
Police said the woman sustained minor injuries and was not taken to the hospital.
“The victim had lacerations and swelling on her face,” said Stephanie Williams, JCCPD Spokesperson. “Niles is at the jail being charged right now. Because this is an active investigation, no additional details are available at this time.”
The woman was able to provide vehicle and suspect descriptions. As a result, officers were able to locate the vehicle as well as the suspects suspects. According to JCCPD, the vehicle and the suspects were still in the area at that time.
“A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle,” authorities said. “One of the four occupants was determined not to have been in the vehicle when the incident occurred and was released. The other three occupants were taken to the Law Enforcement Center for questioning.”
The suspected vehicle was seized and subsequently searched at the Law Enforcement Center. Firearms, firearm accessories and narcotics were located within the vehicle, according to the news release.
Authorities said Bailey Scott Strickland, 25, of Yorktown, has been charged with armed robbery, abduction, conspiracy to commit a felony, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, receipt of a stolen firearm and possession of a firearm by a violent felon.
He was transported to Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail (VPRJ).
Ryhem Sligh, 25, of Richmond, has also been charged with armed robbery, abduction, conspiracy to commit a felony, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, receipt of a stolen firearm and possession of a firearm by a violent felon, authorities said.
He was also transported to VPRJ.
At the time of the news release, charges are pending for Niles for armed robbery, abduction and conspiracy to commit a felony.
Anyone with additional information about this incident or those who may have home security video camera systems (including but not limited to Ring doorbell cameras) who may have captured this incident, please contact Investigator Logan English at 757-603-6033 or logan.english@jamescitycountyva.gov.
Residents can also call the Crime Line at 1-888-562-5887 or submit tips online anonymous here.
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