Arrests made in city robbery

View larger image View larger image

Victim hospitalized after Friday attack

By Candace Sipos -- csipos@nvdaily.com

WINCHESTER -- An assault and robbery on South Braddock Street early Friday left a city man in the hospital and three teenagers in custody, according to Sgt. Frank Myrtle of the Winchester Police Department.

Officers responded to 1637 S. Braddock St. at 4 a.m. after receiving a call, Myrtle said. The three attacked Mark Shifflett, 28, according to court documents. After causing injuries to Shifflett's hands and face, they stole his jacket, cell phone and an undisclosed amount of money.

The victim was able to identify one of the assailants, and police linked him to a residence on Bellview Avenue after conducting an investigation. Officers recovered some of the stolen items at the home, Myrtle said.

The two older assailants were arrested and taken to jail, while the youngest, a 16-year-old, was taken to a juvenile facility. All were charged with robbery and malicious wounding and held without bond until Monday morning, Myrtle said.

The two older assailants were identified as Richard Alexander Gomez, 18, and Toris Jaquea Long, 18, both of Winchester, Myrtle said.

At a Monday bond hearing, Judge David S. Whitacre granted Gomez a $10,000 secured bond and appointed Public Defender Howard Manheimer to represent him. Whitacre granted Long a $50,000 secured bond and ordered him to stay at his residence at 614 S. Cameron St. from 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. The judge also ordered Long to have no contact with the victim and appointed Public Defender Gregory Bowman to represent him.

Whitacre said court papers showed that Long refused to be interviewed by pre-trial services.

"I just feel like I should have an attorney to speak," Long explained after the judge questioned his reasoning.

When asked whether he knows Shifflett, Gomez shook his head and said, "I know that he's the dude that got robbed but that's it."

Myrtle said police suspect that drugs could have been involved in the incident.