News

Pack of cigarettes, jailhouse call lead to arrests in 2013 assault, robbery case

MOUNT PLEASANT TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Three years after he was beaten and robbed inside his Mount Pleasant Township convenience store, Melvin McCloy finally got some closure Thursday.

"For the longest time, I didn't think they'd catch them. But I'm glad this day is here,” he told Channel 11 News.

McCloy said he is feeling relieved, knowing that two men accused of beating and robbing him have been taken into custody and charged with the crime.

He recalled the day in August 2013 when the attacked happened, saying he was putting a phone book away when he felt a blow across his head.

"Somebody come across the counter and hit me in the head. I don't remember anything after that,” he said.

McCloy was flown to a hospital with a fractured skull, slit ear, broken finger and a concussion from which he still suffers symptoms.

"I still have some bouts of dizziness from the concussion,” he said.

State police said Anthony Schake and Barry Hall beat McCloy with a wrench and robbed him of cash and cartons of cigarettes.

Police said investigators were able to get a fingerprint from a cigarette carton left behind, but they knew it wouldn't be enough to hold up in court.

"The last thing you want to do is go to court with only circumstantial evidence and this one fingerprint because if you lose, you can't go back,” said Steve Limani, a state police trooper.

Authorities said Facebook posts that showed premeditation and recorded jailhouse phone calls with messages to one of the suspect's ex-girlfriend enabled officers to finally make the arrests.

"You find that often in criminal cases. Relationships deteriorate and people are more likely to come forward,” Limani said.

McCloy said he’s looking forward to seeing justice served.

"I hope they get what they deserve,” he said.