PITTSBURGH — A former police chief and his wife who were found fatally shot last week died during a robbery of their home-based precious metals business, state police said.

The suspected triggerman, Gerald Louis Szakel Jr., 25, of Webster, and two alleged accomplices, Justin John Welch, 21, and Gregory Monya Carpenter, 52, both of Charleroi, were jailed Monday.

Police contend Szakel shot Howard Springer, 63, and Nancy Springer, 65, on March 4 in their home in Carroll Township, about 20 miles south of Pittsburgh. The couple were found dead the next day by their daughter after she could not reach them by telephone.

Police said they sought Szakel because his name appeared in the Springers' business records. The records showed various transactions with Szakel since January, and their phone logs show he called the couple three times on the day they died, said Steven Fischer, chief of staff to Washington County District Attorney Steve Toprani. Toprani, who is and longtime friend of the victims.