Home robbery suspect arrested

PHOTOGRAPHER: R. J. Kelly

The second suspect sought in connection with a home invasion robbery in Cobleskill last month has been arrested, Cobleskill police reported Friday.

William B. Shafer, of Stillwater was arrested Thursday and charged with second-degree robbery, burglary and unlawful imprisonment, as well as petty larceny.

According to Cobleskill police Sgt. Rich Bialkowski, Shafer had been sought on warrants for his participation in a Jan. 18 incident, following the Jan. 24 arrest of the other suspect, Vincent McGrath Jr., 37, of Glenville.

Police say the pair forced their way in the home of a Cobleskill man, struck him, then bound him with duct tape, threatened him with a stun gun, and stole some of his property.

Police say the attack was allegedly in retribution after the victim paid with a bad check for $2,000 worth of exotic dances provided through an escort service.

Shafer remained in the Schoharie County Jail on Friday following his arraignment Thursday in Cobleskill Village Court. He is being held on $25,000 bail or $50,000 bond. Shafer faces further court action Tuesday.

McGrath, arrested Jan. 24, was initially charged with second-degree robbery, burglary, and unlawful imprisonment. He was also charged with petty larceny and criminal possession of a weapon.

McGrath was later additionally charged in Glenville with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and two counts of criminal use of drug paraphernalia. The charges followed a search of his 8 Glendale Road home, during which Glenville police allegedly found cocaine, scales and crack cocaine pipes.

McGrath was initially held in Schoharie County jail on $30,000 bail. He was released in his own custody, pending further court action, on Feb. 13, a jail official said Friday.

No further arrests are expected for the home-invasion incident, according to Bialkowski.