The fourth suspect in a robbery at a motel last month made a first appearance in Clark County Superior Court on Friday.
Robert E. Mitchell, 19, of Vancouver appeared on suspicion of first-degree robbery and assault stemming from the May 26 incident.
Three other co-defendants — Tylor M. Myers, 21, Cinthya Araiza, 17, both of Vancouver, and Selina Quitugua, 16, whose address is unknown — were previously arrested. Each faces allegations of first-degree robbery and second-degree assault. The juveniles are being tried as adults based on the nature of the crime.
The alleged robbery victim, Alvino Soto-Arriaga, 29, of Vancouver, was also arrested in connection with the case. He is suspected of felony communicating with a minor for immoral purposes, commercial sex abuse of a minor and patronizing a prostitute.
Soto-Arriaga was reportedly robbed at gunpoint at the Guest House Motel, 11504 N.E. Second St., on May 26. Two of the alleged robbers, Araiza and Quitugua, had arranged to meet with him so he could pay Araiza for sex, according to court records. However, the group apparently planned to rob him instead.
Araiza and Soto-Arriaga met at the Westfield Vancouver mall on the day of the robbery, and he drove her to the motel, the affidavit says.
The three other alleged accomplices followed them. Myers told police he armed himself with a 9 mm handgun, entered the motel room and pointed it at Soto-Arriaga. He said Mitchell was also armed, court records said. Mitchell told police he had a silver replica revolver BB gun but denied pointing it at Soto-Arriaga.
The group took $1,000 in cash and a credit card, Myers told police. They apparently split the money, the affidavit says.
Araiza and Quitugua shared conflicting stories with investigators about who instigated the robbery, according to court documents.
During Mitchell’s hearing on Friday, Judge Suzan Clark appointed attorney Megan Peyton to represent him.
She set his bail at $75,000. He is scheduled to be arraigned July 10.
