WBIW.com News - local

Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana

Three Arrested After Shots Fired During Robbery

Last updated on Monday, May 28, 2018

(BLOOMINGTON) - Bloomington Police arrested three people in connection to a robbery that resulted in gunfire.

Police say the three broke into a home in the 600 block of West Smith Avenue looking for a cell phone a woman had left behind after being in the home the night before and a bottle of Xanax.

Several people called 911 to report the crime just before 5 a.m. Wednesday. Callers reported two men were kicking at the front door of the residence and a woman ran out screaming for help. Others reported they saw a man with shotgun and shots fired.

When police arrived, a 39-year-old male victim told police he attempted to barricade the front door while the two men were attempting to kick it in. The male told police, one man took a gun from his vehicle, entered the home and began throwing things around. He and two friends, a 48-year-old man and 44-year-old woman, were able to escape out the front door.

The 39-year-old male victim told police he picked up a large rock and threw it at the back window of the vehicle the assailants were in, shattering the glass. A male inside then fired a shot from the vehicle and fled the scene.

Police say those that broke into the residence were in search of a cell phone belonging to 28-year-old Crystal Lethig, who drove two males to the home to help her retrieve it and a bottle of Xanax.

Police located the gold four-door car at a residence in the 1200 block of West Cottage Grove Avenue. Police found 28-year-old Aaron Richardson with a large cut to the back of the head, Lethigh and 24-year-old Kenneth Stevens.

Richardson was taken to a local hospital for treatment, Lethigh and Stevens were taken to the police department for questioning.

Lethig told police she was just wanted her cell phone back. Stevens admitted to breaking into the home and firing the shotgun after he says he thought those who had been inside the home had shot at him causing the window of the vehicle to shatter.

All three were arrested on charges of armed robbery and criminal confinement. Stevens is also facing charges of attempted murder and possession of a firearm by a serious violent offender. Police say not only did Stevens have a shotgun but was armed with a loaded handgun.

Lething, of Bloomington, is being held on a $30,500 bond. Richardson, of Gosport, is being held on a $15,500 bond. Stevens is being held without bond.

Stevens in 2012 was sentenced to serve nine years in prison after a burglary conviction in Owen County. He was released in March 2016, according to Indiana Department of Correction records.

1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com

© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Click here to go back to previous page