STARCHER AGREES TO PLEA IN CALHOUN BANK ROBBERY

(08/12/2009)

Richard Allen Starcher, 29, of Arnoldsburg and Spencer, who was charged with being an "accessory before and after the fact," in the robbery of the Arnoldsburg branch of the Calhoun Bank last December, is scheduled to enter a plea in Calhoun Circuit Court on August 25. Starcher (pictured left) appeared before Judge David Nibert Monday. Cpl. Doug Starcher, according to the criminal complaint, said Richard Starcher had knowledge of the bank robbery before the fact, in an "attempt to arrange a hide-out for the principal Darin S. McClain," who took about $16,000 in the actual hold-up. The complaint says that Starcher attempted to arrange a hide-out with a family member in Spencer. A statement from a family member indicates that "[Richard Starcher] had planned this crime with the accused [McClain]." Officer Starcher, in the complaint, says that Richard Starcher gave little information, "first claiming he did not know [McClain]," later identifying McClain by a photo, saying he only knew him by his nickname "Turtle." The complaint then says Richard Starcher gave false information regarding knowledge of McClain's whereabouts, also denying knowledge of the bank robbery. A family member told police that Richard Starcher had been in contact with McClain for about two weeks before McClain came to West Virginia, and that he "implied he would be coming into some money." Cpl. Starcher, in the complaint, says he "interviewed additional witnesses who stated that [Richard Starcher] met with Darin McClain after the bank robbery ... made arrangements for [McClain] to be picked-up after the robbery ... and further arranged ... for transportation back to Ohio." An Arnoldsburg man, Beau Allen Collins, 26, was also charged with being an accessory to the robbery, according to a criminal complaint. The Arnoldsburg bank robbery was the first in the county's 157 year history.

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