Two Behind Bars Following Armed Robbery in Venango County

Aly Delp

Aly Delp

Published May 29, 2019 4:29 am
Image

VENANGO CO., Pa. (EYT) — Two men are behind bars following an incident in which they allegedly robbed a victim at gunpoint early Saturday morning in Sugarcreek Borough, Venango County.

Court documents indicate the Sugarcreek Borough Police Department filed the following charges against 26-year-old Marquise Lamar McCool, of Franklin, and 26-year-old Devonte Trey Riedel, of Oil City:

– Conspiracy — Robbery-Threaten Immediate Serious Injury, Felony 1
– Aggravated Assault, Felony 2
– Firearms Not To Be Carried Without License, Felony 3
– Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Misdemeanor 2

According to a criminal complaint, around 1:15 a.m. on Saturday, May 25, officers of the Sugarcreek Borough Police Department were dispatched to a residence on Venango Street for a report of a robbery that just occurred. Venango County 9-1-1 reported they received a call from a male who stated that he was just robbed at gunpoint by Marquise McCool.

The complaint notes that while the officers were responding, 9-1-1 reported that McCool had left the area in a gray Jeep.

Officer Highfield, of the Sugarcreek Borough Police Department, continued to the victim’s residence while other officers searched the area for a vehicle matching the description. As Officer Highfield was arriving at the scene, Venango County 9-1-1 advised the vehicle was a silver/gray Jeep Cherokee, and it was headed toward Oil City.

Officer Highfield then made contact with the known male victim who stated that he had been in contact with McCool, and McCool had agreed to give him a ride.

According to the complaint, the victim stated that when McCool arrived, he was in the front passenger seat of the Jeep Cherokee, and there was another black male in the driver’s seat who the victim did not know. The victim said that when he got into the vehicle, McCool pulled a handgun and pointed it at him, then told him to hand over his wallet.

The victim reported that McCool did not get his wallet, but did take $150.00 from him. He said he then got out of the Jeep, and it “took off” going toward Sheetz. The complaint notes that when asked if he knew where McCool was headed, the victim said: “I don’t know, probably Oil City.”

Around that time, Sheriff’s Deputy Lehman contacted Venango County 9-1-1 and advised he had a vehicle matching the description in the Sheetz parking lot on Allegheny Boulevard. Deputy Lehman also stated he saw McCool and another male who fit the description of the driver. Deputy Lehman and Patrolman Johnson, who was also at the scene, detained both males.

Officer Highfield then proceeded to Sheetz and met with the other officers.

According to the complaint, McCool was loud and upset, saying there was no gun in the car. Trooper Bingman, of the Franklin-based State Police, who was also at the scene, then stated he could see a gun in the car as he was looking through the driver’s window. Officer Highfield observed a black handle and cylinder of a revolver handgun stuck between the driver’s seat and the center console.

McCool and the other male, later identified as Devonte Riedel, were then taken into custody. They were placed into separate patrol vehicles, and the gun was seized from the vehicle and found to be a Rossi revolver with three live cartridges in the cylinder. The Jeep was also towed to the police station and secured.

The complaint notes that through the course of the investigation, it was found that neither McCool or Riedel possesses a valid and lawfully issued license to carry firearms.

McCool and Riedel were arraigned in front of Magisterial District Judge Matthew T. Kirtland on Saturday, May 25.

Unable to post $50,000.00 monetary bail each, they were lodged in the Venango County Jail.

Preliminary hearings are scheduled to 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 5, with judge Kirtland presiding.

Recent Articles

Community Partner