Police: Robbery suspects followed victim home
Two young men and a teenager are accused of attacking and robbing another man Monday night in Butler.
City police arrested one of the defendants, Tyler O. Lambing, 19, who has no known address.
Police on Tuesday were still looking for the other two — Sheldon L. Hile, 21, who has no known address; and a 17-year-old Butler area boy.
The trio allegedly followed the victim, Christopher Losser, 20, from a store to his home on American Avenue, where they jumped him about 9:40 p.m., according to court documents.
Police believe Losser knew all of the defendants before the incident.
He told investigators that Lambing pulled up in a vehicle next to his and asked for $20. When the victim denied having any money, a police affidavit said, Lambing stated, “get him.”
Moments later, the boy got out of the front passenger seat and threw a punch at Losser. He missed. Losser, in self-defense, punched back, hitting the teen.
Lambing is accused of telling his accomplices to “run (Losser's) pockets.”
The victim recounted getting down on the ground to protect his belongings and the gift cards that he had just purchased.
The defendants all kicked and punched Losser, documents said.
He said when he dropped his cell phone that was in his hand during the alleged assault, Hile reached down and took it before the defendants returned to their car and drove away.
Officers later arrested Lambing after stopping his vehicle, police said. During an interview at the station, he admitted that he had driven to Losser's home with Hile and the boy.
He claimed Hile and the boy kicked and punched the victim. He denied throwing any punches.
Lambing also acknowledged that he knew that Hile and the boy had Losser's phone but he did not know what they did with it.
Lambing was arraigned on charges of robbery, conspiracy, theft and simple assault. He was placed in the Butler County Prison on $20,000 bail.
Arrest warrants were issued for the other defendants on similar charges. Police did not identify the boy, who is charged as a juvenile in the case.
