A woman went to a Hibbing apartment last week with the intention of purchasing half a gram of heroin for $120. Instead, according to charges, she was met by three masked, gun-wielding men.
They demanded money. She didn't have any.
Even worse for the suspects, the woman told police that she recognized one of the men by the facial hair that was visible under his mask.
The incident, which did not result in any injuries, has led to felony charges against three people - two of the alleged robbers and a woman accused of luring the victim to the residence. The fourth suspect is still being sought by Hibbing police.
Charles Joseph Frame, 39; Jared Bryce Brohman, 24; and Elizabeth Jean Peroceschi, 18, were arraigned Friday afternoon in State District Court in Hibbing. They face various robbery, assault and firearm charges.
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According to police and court documents:
The 19-year-old victim arranged to purchase heroin from Peroceschi, an acquaintance, at the Bear Den Apartments, 801 E. 41st St. Despite being told to come alone, she brought her boyfriend.
The victim said Peroceschi let them into the apartment and began making small talk before a masked man, wearing dark clothing and carrying a gun, emerged from the rear of the apartment.
At that point, the boyfriend ran from the apartment. The victim remained as two other masked men arrived and pointed pistols at her head. She said she could recognize one of them as Frame.
The victim said she was told to turn over the money for the heroin purchase but couldn't because her boyfriend was carrying it. Instead, she said, she was ordered to turn over her phone and provide its password.
Frame then told the victim to leave. Outside, she saw a police officer, who had been summoned by her boyfriend.
The woman was able to point out to police one of the suspects, later identified as Brohman, who was walking in the parking lot at the nearby McDonald's. Moments later, she was able to identify Frame and Peroceschi as they drove away from the apartment building.
After making a traffic stop, officers recovered the stolen phone from the brush on the side of the road. Also found in the area was a revolver matching a description given by the victim of the weapon carried by Frame.
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Police said a review of Facebook messages confirmed that Peroceschi had arranged for the victim to come to her apartment to purchase heroin.
Peroceschi gave three different statements, providing various accounts of her actions. Ultimately, police said, she admitted that there was a plan in place to "rip off" the woman by taking her cash and giving her brown sugar in place of heroin.
Peroceschi stated that the three men were aware of that plan, but that she did not know why they decided to rob the victim at gunpoint. She said she wasn't sure who took the phone but that she later grabbed it off a table. She stated that she got in the car with Frame because she "wanted to leave the area" and that she later threw the phone out the window because she "did not want it anymore."
Brohman also gave a statement but denied any involvement in or knowledge of the robbery, according to police. Frame declined to face questioning.
Frame and Peroceschi are each charged with two counts of first-degree aggravated robbery and two counts of second-degree assault. Additionally, Frame is accused of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Brohman is charged with one count each of first-degree aggravated robbery, second-degree assault and felon in possession of a firearm.
Frame has multiple convictions on his record, including burglary, theft, assault and drug offenses. Brohman also has numerous convictions for selling and possessing controlled substances.
Sixth Judicial District Judge David Ackerson set bail at $100,000 for each defendant. They are scheduled to be back in court on Thursday.
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Police said late last week that they were still searching for the fourth suspect. He is described as a white male between the ages of 20-30 and wearing dark clothing.
