TOPSHAM, Maine — Topsham police arrested a second twin brother Saturday in connection with an armed robbery he allegedly helped his brother commit at an athletic field last weekend.
Alexander Laurelez, 18, was arrested Friday night at the police station, according to a department post on Facebook. The brief statement did not say whether Laurelez turned himself in or whether he had been brought in for questioning and then arrested.
Topsham police did not immediately return a phone message requesting more details.
Matthew Laurelez was arrested the night of Nov. 23, 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 made his initial appearance in court the next day. Police then issued a warrant for the arrest of his brother.
As of Saturday morning, both brothers were being held at Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset on $25,000 bail each, according to jail officers. Alexander Laurelez is scheduled to be arraigned on the same charges as his brother by video from the jail on Monday afternoon.
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.
BDN writer Beth Brogan contributed to this report.
Follow Nick McCrea on Twitter @nmccrea213.