Updated 8-31-16 at 8a.m.
According to the criminal complaint filed this morning, at approximately 6:45 in the morning, officers were dispatched to 515 Loop Street for a robbery in progress.
The caller advised police that her boyfriend was held at gun point and gave the robbers $24.00 and a bag of marijuana.
While police were on their way to the address the caller said her boyfriend was shot at and the robbers were armed, fleeing on foot towards Aetna Drive.
The officers were advised by the caller that the suspects were driving a grey Pontiac G6, to which the officers searched the area and saw the car. Police pulled the car over and requested everyone in the vehicle to get on the ground, where they then were put into handcuffs and taken to the station.
Officers found a 9mm hand gun with an extended magazine in the suspects car. The stolen bag of marijuana was uncovered in the back seat crinkled up in the stolen $24.00.
Two of the co-defendants, Angela Groves, 20, of New Castle and Megan Kelley, 20, of New Castle, stated that the three male co-defendants conspired with Groves and Kelley to drive them to Loop Street in order to commit a robbery at the residence. Groves and Kelley were parked on Aetna Drive waiting for the defendants.
The shooter was Devin Bongivengo, 21, of New Castle and will be facing the following charges: burglary, two counts of robbery, theft by unlawful taking, aggravated assault, prohibited possession of firearm, and attempted criminal homicide.
Tristynne Nelson, 20, of New Castle will be facing the following charges: burglary, two counts of robbery, and theft by unlawful taking.
Nelson and Bongivengo are in Lawrence County jail after failing to post their bond of $100,000 each.
William Napier, 20, of New Castle will be facing the following charges: conspiracy to commit robbery, conspiracy to commit burglary and conspiracy to commit theft.
Groves and Kelley will be facing the following charge: conspiracy to commit robbery.
Napier, Groves, and Kelly were also placed in Lawrence County jail after failing to post their bonds of $30,000 each.
No one was hurt.
Defendants Devin Bongivengo (front) and Tristynne Nelson (back) being escorted to the magistrate by police officers.
Are there photos of the two girls? Reports of home break ins by 2 girls on crescent ave. Could this be the same two?
The girls were not taken to the magistrate at the same time as the other 3 defendants, unfortunately we did not get any photos.
First of all, way to go officers!! quick response and effective take down; that’s the way to do it! Second, why throw your life away for $24 and a bag of weed?