SOUTH PORTLAND – Police arrested four men who allegedly threatened and robbed a man at the Econolodge on John Roberts Road late Monday, then burglarized his room.

South Portland police said the vicitm told them that he knew one of the men involved in the alleged robbery and had picked up all four in Portland to hang out at his hotel room.

Once they were in the room, one of the men began choking the victim and another threatened the victim with a knife, according to police.

The four allegedly took a small amount of cash and left. The victim had minor injuries, but did not require treatment.

While the victim was talking to the hotel clerk in the lobby about the incident, police said, the suspects returned to the man’s room and entered with a key they had taken during the robbery. A laptop computer and video games were reportedly taken, police said.

Police used a tracking dog and found four men in a nearby parking lot. A subsequent search led to the laptop and other items.

Arrested and charged with robbery, burglary and theft were Mataka Luka, 19; Abdirizak Farah, 19; Augustine Anthony, 19; and a 17-year-old juvenile, whose name was not released due to his age. All of the suspects are from Portland.

Police said the adults are being held at the Cumberland County Jail, with bail set at $100,000. The 17-year-old is being held at Long Creek Youth Development Center. The adults are expected to be arraigned Wednesday.

 


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