A man was recently arrested in connection with an armed robbery and burglary that occurred on 15th Street in Elkins, West Virginia, back in September.
William Houdini Johnson Jr., 41, is facing multiple felony charges, including armed robbery, burglary (nighttime), and conspiracy. The conspiracy charge is currently under review. He is currently being held in the Tygart Valley Regional Jail.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Randolph County Magistrate Court by Patrolman C.J. Elmore with the Elkins City Police Department, Elmore responded to a call on September 29 about an armed robbery that was no longer in progress. Upon arrival, Elmore spoke with a woman who reported that two men had robbed her at gunpoint.
The victim stated that while she was in her kitchen, two men forcefully kicked in her front door. One man held a gun to her head, while the other stole items such as her wallet, a backpack, ID, medicine, knives, credit and debit cards, and $800 in cash. The damage to the door was estimated at around $300.
The investigation later involved interviews with the victim’s landlord and a friend. The friend, after reviewing stolen items, later identified one of the suspects as Andre Johnson. A few days later, she contacted Elmore again, revealing Facebook messages she had received from Andre Johnson. The messages indicated Johnson’s involvement in the robbery and the friend’s reluctance to identify him to police.
As the investigation continued, a photo lineup was conducted on January 31. The alleged victim was able to identify William Houdini Johnson as the other suspect, noting that he had a distinct lazy eye on the right side of his face. Elmore linked Johnson to a previous burglary that occurred on December 21 at 210 Second Street.
Sergeant K.A. Shifflet with the Elkins City Police Department conducted the photo lineup, during which the victim positively identified Johnson as one of the suspects involved in the September robbery.
