Initial bonds of $2,000 surety each have been increased for Christofer Colt, 22, 519 Alward St., Warsaw, and Ritchie Hernandez Jr., 21, 219 E. Levi Lee Road, Warsaw. Both men have been arrested on a charge of robbery, with serious bodily injury, a level 2 felony.
Bond has now been set for $250,000 surety for Colt and $300,000 surety for Hernandez. The orders requesting higher bond amounts were signed at approximately 6:12 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, by Kosciusko County Superior Court 3 Judge Joe Sutton.
Colt was arrested and booked into the Kosciusko County Jail Friday, Nov. 28, while Hernandez was arrested and booked into the Kosciusko County Jail Thursday, Nov. 27.
The affidavit of probable cause, filed by Warsaw Police Detective Ryan Moore, shows events began Nov. 27, when he responded to a robbery at Walgreens, East Center Street, Warsaw.
The victim was interviewed at Kosciusko Community Hospital where he was being treated for extensive injuries to the head and throat.
According to the victim, he arrived at the business to purchase chips and pop when he came into contact with Hernandez and Colt in the parking lot. He told police he entered the vehicle occupied by the two men along with two females. It was while he was in the vehicle, he was jumped by the two men in the backseat.
Hernandez allegedly strangled him, while Colt punched him in the face. The two men demanded all his belongings. Taken were a watch, Michael Jordan shoes, wallet and hat. The victim was later “dumped by the side of the road by the Warsaw Community Church and was found shortly thereafter by his girlfriend.”
Hernandez was located with the two females at his residence on East Levi Lee Road, at which time the officer recovered the victim’s watch and hat.
During interviews with police Hernandez and Colt admitted jumping the victim in Colt’s vehicle. Hernandez stated he pinned down the victim by his throat for at least 15 seconds while Colt continued to punch the victim in the face. Both also admitted dumping the victim by the church.
Hernandez was out on bond on another matter for the offense of aiding robbery, resulting in serious bodily injury, a class B felony. A plea hearing on that case is set for Dec. 8.