Police: ‘Friends’ rob, assault handicapped person

Published 1:35 pm Thursday, August 31, 2017

By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — A man with Parkinson’s disease was robbed and assaulted by two friends as they walked from a local restaurant, according to the Salisbury Police Department.

The victim was not seriously injured, police said.

Chester Wayne Johnson, 33, of the 2500 block of David Road in Westlake, Louisiana, and Cassey Nicole Stewart, 33, of the 1800 block of First Street, were each charged with felony common law robbery and assault of a handicapped person.

Salisbury police said Johnson and Stewart, also known as Cassey Blount, were walking to Applebee’s on Wednesday afternoon with 58-year-old Wiley Biggers.

Biggers, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease, was pushed to the ground and his wallet was taken, along with his debit card and $320 in cash. The three got into an argument about money, officials said.

Biggers called police and officers surrounded the area. They found Johnson and Stewart in the construction area of Buffalo Wild Wings. When police spoke with Stewart, who was out of breath and sweaty, she told them she had been out exercising.

Police said Stewart and Biggers knew each other from a local shelter.

Stewart remains in the Rowan County Detention Center under a $7,500 secured bond.

Johnson remains jailed under a $10,000 secured bond.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.