Four arrested in connection with armed robbery of Williamsburg Arby’s

Williamsburg police arrested four people Sunday afternoon in connection with the Friday evening knife-point robbery of the Williamsburg Arby’s Restaurant where over $1,000 was taken.

Williamsburg Police Chief Wayne Bird said that about 10:55 p.m. Friday, Williamsburg police responded to an armed robbery call at Arby’s Restaurant, which is located on South 10th Street. Police responded to the restaurant and learned from two employees that just before closing, a man entered the store armed with a knife and held them up taking money from their pockets totaling about $80.

The robber then forced the manager to go to the office and open the safe taking about $1,000 out of it, Bird said.

"The suspect forced both employees into a cooler and locked the door. Several minutes later, the employees were able to force the door open and call 911," Bird said.

About 1:30 p.m. Sunday Williamsburg police executed a search warrant at a residence behind the Williamsburg KFC. The search warrant was requested after a tip to Bird and a later tip to the Williamsburg Fire and Police dispatch center. The tips indicated that Ted R. Shickell allegedly robbed the Williamsburg Arbys, and could be found living with Joshua Hatfield, an Arbys employee. Upon executing the search warrant at Hatfield’s residence, evidence relating to the robbery was recovered along with an amount of marijuana consistent with personal use, Bird said.

All four persons at the residence were arrested. Shickell was charged with first-degree robbery. Hatfield, along with Michael L. Lebanion II and Kristina M. Sito are charged with facilitation to first-degree robbery.

All four were lodged in the Whitley County Detention Center.