Man and four teenagers accused of robbery and assault on boys in Wilton

WILTON – A Farmington man and four juveniles are suspected of involvement in an Aug. 16 incident in which a 13-year-old boy trying to recover his stolen bicycle was robbed, assaulted and threatened with death in a mobile home at 202 Balsam Street in the Wilton Mobile Home Park.

Ty Looney Franklin County Detention Center photo

Police said that in addition to Ty K. Looney, 23, of Farmington, eight juveniles between the ages of 12 and 16 were involved in the incident. According to a Facebook post by Wilton Police Chief Ethan Kyes, four of the juveniles were charged and taken to Long Creek Youth Development in South Portland. They are a 12-year-old, a 14-year-old and a 15-year-old, all from Wilton, and a 16-year-old from Farmington.

Police investigated a report of “serious crimes” against a 13-year-old boy on August 17.

The victim told police his bike was stolen during the Blueberry Festival in early August. He and a friend believed they saw it and followed the bike to the trailer park, according to Cpl. Brian Lynch's affidavit filed with the court. As the boy got into the trailer, a person blocked the exit.

In videos of the incident obtained by police, several teens and Looney can be seen in the RV while Looney, who was identified by his tattoo on his left arm, is filming. Several teens took turns hitting the victim with their fists and palms.

A video showed a teenager cutting the boy's hair with a knife, putting a tuft of hair in his mouth and slapping him.

According to police, another video showed the boy trying to escape and a teenager putting his arms around the boy's neck and throwing him to the ground.

A fifth video shows Looney pointing a paintball gun at the boy's face and telling him, “Please don't, I'm scared,” the affidavit states. Another teen holds the victim down while another holds a knife to his side and threatens to kill him if he tells anyone.

According to police, the teens took the boy's Galaxy A10 phone and case, his backpack, a prepaid debit card, a green bandana, a few quarters and his Apple Airpod Pros.

The victim told police that he managed to ride away on his bicycle despite the teenagers' slashed tires.

Looney appeared in Judge Andrew Robinson's courtroom in Paris on Monday via Zoom with his attorney, Curtis Rice. An American Sign Language interpreter and Assistant District Attorney Brian Yeager were present at the hearing. A second interpreter translated in jail for Looney, who has a hearing impairment.

Judge Andrew Robinson said the state had filed a motion to revoke Looney's bail in a previous domestic violence case. There is no bail for that charge.

He had been on a probation agreement for about two months before this incident, said Assistant District Attorney Brian Yeager. He asked for bail of $10,000.

Rice requested a lower bail, saying domestic violence was the only charge Looney had previously been accused of.

Robinson set bail for the new charges at $5,000.

Rice will continue to represent Looney on the domestic violence charge until a new defense attorney is appointed to represent him.

Rice pointed out that being in prison and unable to hear would be difficult for Looney, and asked the court to place him in a facility that complies with the Americans With Disabilities Act.

Looney is being held at the Franklin County Detention Center in Farmington.

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