3 nabbed in Northgate robbery see charges dismissed; alleged gunman on no bail

Dandre Sabala, 19, of Manchester (Strafford County Jail photo)

ROCHESTER - Three of four men arrested in a robbery at Northgate Apartments on Tuesday saw their charges dismissed on Wednesday in Strafford County Superior Court.

The fourth man, accused of using a firearm during the alleged robbery, remains on no bail at Strafford County Jail, a jail spokesperson said today.

Police got involved around 9 p.m. after a woman called dispatch to say she had escaped into the woods after being robbed and that a man with a gun was chasing her.

"While Police were en route to the call, the caller stated they were hiding in the woods and the people chasing her fled in a vehicle, reported to be a Jeep," Rochester Police Capt. Todd Pinkham said on Wednesday.

Police located the Jeep and its occupants as they were about to leave the parking lot, conducted a traffic stop and detained the occupants of the vehicle.

Police also located the calling party, who came out of the woods unharmed once police arrived. The status of the second victim was not immediately clear.

Police believe the two groups met online and arranged to meet to conduct a transaction, the nature of which was not specified.

"The parties met and at some point during the transaction a firearm was used in the commission of a robbery of two people," Pinkham said.

The lone suspect who remains in jail is Dandre Sabala, 19, of Manchester, who was charged with Robbery w/Firearm.

The three others, including Leo Bowen, 22, of Rochester, Travis Garand, 22, of Epping and Kyle Wilcox, 18, of Kittery, Maine, who had all been charged with conspiracy to commit robbery, saw those charges tossed at their Wednesday arraignments.

Police reported that another person had also been robbed, but the circumstances of that part of the story was unclear. Police have also not confirmed what the victim was robbed of or whether she was able to recover it.

Police are asking that anyone who may have any information pertaining to the investigation contact them at 603-330-7128. You can also provide information and remain anonymous by calling the Rochester Crime Line at 603-335-6500 or Text to: CRIMES (274637) Body of Text: TEXT4CASH + your tip. Cash rewards are offered for information that leads to an arrest.