PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — On Tuesday, a 20-year-old Independence man was arrested on robbery and other charges after Newport police said he threatened a hotel roommate with a handgun, stole a purse containing a large amount of cash, and was later stopped in Florence with the victim’s property and a firearm found in his vehicle.
At around 11:20 a.m., officers responded to an armed robbery report at Days Inn located at 544 SW Coast Highway. When officers arrived, they said the victim, whose identity has not been revealed, was robbed by someone they know. The suspect was identified as Christopher Michael Lekoff, 20, of Independence, Oregon.
Upon further investigation, it was revealed that the victim and suspect knew each other for many years. In fact, they shared the same room at the Day Inn the night before the robbery. In the morning, the victim went to shower, and Lekoff packed his things, then demanded the victim hand over their purse. Police said Lekoff used a gun to threaten the victim as well.
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The police said that the victim complied with Lekoff’s demands out of fear, and added that they had a large amount of cash, and Lekoff knew that…