Photo helps police ID alleged robbers
This surveillance image helped South Strabane Township police identify the suspects in a purse-snatching at Sam’s Club in Trinity Point last week.
Ashley Renee Riggle
A clear surveillance photograph shared through media and online led to the identification of two people suspected of robbing a 71-year-old woman in the parking lot of a South Strabane Township business last week.
Township police Detective Ken Torboli obtained an arrest warrant Wednesday for 32-year-old Daniel Wayne Earlywine on charges of robbery, conspiracy, simple assault, reckless endangerment, access device fraud and theft. Earlywine, who Torboli said is homeless, is accused of stealing the woman’s purse from her shopping cart in the lot at Sam’s Club, Trinity Point, about 3:45 p.m. Friday. The alleged victim told police she was loading groceries when a man grabbed her purse from the front of the cart. He then struggled with her as she tried to get her purse back, and she was knocked to the ground as the man got into a a dark Dodge Stratus and the driver sped from the scene.
Ashley Renee Riggle, 30, of 2335 Belmont Ave., Canton Township, was arraigned Wednesday afternoon before District Judge Robert Redlinger on identical charges. Riggle, who allegedly parked next to the victim’s vehicle and then drove off with Earlywine, also is charged with reckless driving. She was placed in Washington County jail on $15,000 bond.
“We were able to get a good, clear shot of them,” Torboli said. “The loss-prevention staff at Sam’s is very proficient at getting us good copies of photos and videos very quickly. And that is huge!”
The surveillance photograph first appeared online on the Observer-Reporter’s website Tuesday afternoon and also was shared extensively on social media, including Facebook.
Torboli said police received an overwhelming response from the public identifying Earlywine and Riggle as the suspects. Police said they also learned that Riggle is the registered owner of a Dodge Stratus.
“I think the circumstances with a 71-year-old woman as victim caught people’s attention,” Torboli said. “And they didn’t take kindly to it.”
Riggle allegedly admitted her involvement to police during an interview Wednesday. Torboli said she told him she took Earlywine to Sam’s and then drove him to locations where he tried to use the victim’s credit cards to make purchases. Police said they also have video of the use of the cards.
“She said he is homeless and needed money, so she did it to help him,” Torboli said.
This is the second arrest of a robbery suspect in two days for Torboli and township police. Ryan Jon Molish, 24, of Daisytown, was arrested on robbery and other charges Monday for allegedly stealing a woman’s purse as she sat in a vehicle April 24 in the lot at Walmart, Trinity Point. The alleged victim in that robbery reportedly was hit with a stun gun by Molish as she grabbed her purse back from him.
Torboli said Earlywine is on the lam but is believed to be in the Washington area. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call township police at 724-225-8111 or 911.
Riggle’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for Tuesday before District Judge Jay Weller.