Hearings continued for Canonsburg robbery suspects
State constables lead Travis Bush and Amanda Snatchko into Judge David Mark’s court in Canonsburg Wednesday.
State constables lead Tonaiya Carr to her preliminary hearing in Canonsburg Wednesday.
Three of the four people charged by Canonsburg police in an alleged robbery that prompted a standoff and a response by two SWAT teams had their preliminary hearings continued Wednesday after more charges were filed against one of the suspects.
Travis Bush, 27, and Amanda Snatchko, 25, both of 157 Smith St., Canonsburg, and Tonaiya Carr, 19, of 155 Smith, were scheduled for preliminary hearings before District Judge David Mark.
But Molly Maguire Gaussa, an attorney representing Bush, asked for a continuance after charges of conspiracy, unlawful restraint, a firearms violation, corruption of minors, reckless endangerment and simple assault were added to the robbery charge he initially faced, saying that she needed more time to prepare his defense. Snatchko and Carr are each charged with robbery, conspiracy, reckless endangerment and simple assault. Assistant District Attorney Cassidy Miller Gerstner asked that the hearings for the two women also be continued.
The hearings for the three were continued until Jan. 11, when the fourth suspect, 16-year-old Denver Findley of 149 DiCio St., Canonsburg, is scheduled for his preliminary hearing. Findley is charged as an adult with robbery, conspiracy, reckless endangerment and simple assault.
Police were called Nov. 29 to the West College Street home of 20-year-old Devan Byrd after he reported a robbery. He told police that four people entered his home. Bush allegedly held a gun to his head while the others ransacked the residence and demanded Byrd’s “weed.” The four allegedly threatened to harm Byrd if he called police.
Police said Byrd was able to identify Bush, Snatchko and Carr, who reportedly fled to the house shared by Bush and Snatchko. When police arrived at the residence, Snatchko was seen leaving and was taken into custody. The Washington County Regional SWAT teams and SHACOG Community Emergency Response team assisted Canonsburg police and officers from neighboring departments in setting up a perimeter around the house at 157 Smith. Several homes in the immediate area were evacuated. Carr and Findley came out after a few hours when tear gas was shot into the house. Bush came out after he was persuaded to surrender by a family member.
Bush remains in Washington County jail on $750,000 bond, while both Snatchko and Carr are in jail on $500,000 bonds.
Mark denied a request from Russell Korner, the public defender representing Snatchko, to reduce her bond. Gerstner asked that the bond remain because of concern that she is a flight risk and due to the seriousness of the charges. Mark added a condition to the bonds that the three have no contact with the alleged victim.