TOPSHAM, Maine — Topsham police say twin 18-year-old Topsham men robbed another man at gunpoint Saturday evening at a Topsham athletic field, and officers continue to search for one of the brothers.
One twin, Matthew Laurelez, was arrested Sunday night and charged with two counts of Class A felony armed robbery, two counts of tampering with a victim, criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon and theft. He did not enter a plea at an initial appearance on Monday, according to court documents. He was held at Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset on $25,000 bail.
Police have issued a warrant for the arrest of Alex Laurelez, also 18, who faces the same charges.
Topsham police Lt. Frederick Dunn said Tuesday that the alleged victim, a 19-year-old man who has previously lived in Topsham but is listed as a transient and who is known to the Laurelez brothers, reported to police that after the three met at Foreside Fields on Foreside Road, one of the brothers aimed a small-caliber handgun at the alleged victim and demanded money.
The other brother — Dunn did not say which — allegedly held a bat to the chest of the victim and demanded money.
The victim allegedly gave them about $100 cash, Dunn said.
“The twins then threatened the life of the victim if he reported the incident,” Dunn said.
Officer Robert Ramsey and other officers went to the home where the brothers live with their father. The father allowed them in, according to Dunn, and police allegedly found Matthew Laurelez hiding in the home and arrested him.
Dunn said police believe they know the motive for the alleged crime, but it remains under investigation.
Matthew Laurelez is scheduled to appear at Bath Unified Criminal Court on Jan. 7, 2015.
An 18-year-old Bowdoin woman also was arrested in connection with the crime. Samantha Williams was charged with two counts of Class B tampering with a victim and violation of condition of release, a misdemeanor, according to court documents.
Police say Williams used “force, violence or intimidation or promise” to compel the alleged victim not to notify police.
She was released on Tuesday on $250 cash bail with conditions and also is scheduled to appear in Bath Unified Criminal Court on Jan. 7, 2015.