Court Records: Connection Between Suspect and Victim in Norridgewock Robbery
Court papers reveal that one suspect in the Norridgewock armed robbery knew the victim beforehand.
In an incident last week, Alexandra L. Goards, who was acquainted with the victim, claimed that she was compelled by other suspects to assist in the robbery, according to a police report.
While the details of the event and the motives of the suspects remain unclear, a police affidavit filed in Somerset County Superior Court sheds light on the situation.
The three suspects, including Alexandra L. Goards, Zaydi F. Issah, and Yavier Coralin, face charges of robbery and theft by unauthorized taking, among other charges related to the incident.
According to Detective Wilfred Dodge of the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office, Goards, a resident of Waterville, and the 64-year-old victim acknowledged their acquaintance to the police.
Goards explained to the police that as she arrived at the victim’s driveway on Airport Road in Norridgewock, the other two suspects, Issah and Coralin, were already waiting. She claimed they forced her to drive up to the house with a gun to her head, where they assaulted the victim and stole $2,500 to $3,000.
As they attempted to flee, a neighbor damaged Goards’ vehicle’s windshield, prompting the suspects to try another vehicle unsuccessfully before escaping into the woods.
Goards’ role in the assault and robbery is unclear. While she told the police she hid in a closet due to the presence of a gun, the victim said Goards simply “stood there.”
After Issah and Coralin ran into the woods, Goards followed them, fearing accusations of setting them up, according to Dodge.
The suspects were found several hours later with around $2,000 and a bag containing tan powder. The search for them lasted nearly five hours, causing lockout and shelter-in-place orders at nearby schools, businesses, and offices.
In addition to robbery and theft charges, Coralin faces charges of unlawful possession of scheduled drugs, assault, and providing a false name. Issah faces charges of unlawful possession of scheduled drugs and assault, while Goards faces a charge of aggravated trafficking of scheduled drugs.
The suspects, who initially resisted identifying themselves, are due back in court on January 24.
