RICHMOND, Va. -- One person has been arrested following the robbery of 17 people at a weekend house party in Richmond.
Police were called to the home, along the 1100 block of Cypress Street, at about 1 a.m. Sunday.
"The group of people gathered there reported that three unknown males armed with guns, entered the home. They collected the victims phones and wallets before fleeing," a Richmond Police spokesperson said. "Arriving officers observed two armed black males wearing all black running from the scene. They were able to apprehend one of the suspects."
William M. Rochester III, 26, of the 3600 block of Carolina Avenue, was charged with robbery, use of a firearm and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
William Rochester III (PHOTO: Richmond Police)
"K-9 units from Richmond and Chesterfield police departments conducted a search for the second suspect who was not located," the police spokesperson continued. "Two suspects were described as wearing masks at the time of the incident. The third wore a black hoodie pulled tight around his face."
The robbery victims told Jake Burns they had no warning before the masked gunmen entered the home.
Tia Terraforte said she loves the colorful homes in her Highland Grove neighborhood, but added she was anxious after the brash armed robbery.
"I'm thinking I might want to get an alarm system or something put up," Terraforte said.
Anyone with information about the robbery was asked to call Crime Stoppers at 804-780-1000.
