Springdale murder suspect faces more criminal charges

CINCINNATI (WKRC) - A Hamilton County grand jury added a number of charges to the aggravated murder charge a suspect in fatal shooting Springdale already faced. Travone Thomas is now charged with multiple counts of aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, kidnapping, robbery and a gun charge.

Police say Thomas was one of three men who forced their way into an apartment on Chesterdale Drive Sept. 24. Two of them were armed.

One of the suspects grabbed a 3-year-old in the apartment and demanded money and marijuana. As Desmon Sayles came out of a bedroom, one of the men pointed a gun at him. According to court papers, Sayles told them he didn't live at the apartment and didn't know about drugs or money. One of the men shot Sayles in the chest, killing him.

All three men took off in a white Buick SUV.

Police tracked Thomas down at the Quality Inn in West Chester. One of the men in the apartment knew his first name and gave it to police.

Thomas was awaiting sentencing in West Chester for aggravated robbery. According to court papers, he and two other men took $1,500 in cash and his cell phone at gunpoint. They then hit the victim in the back of the head with a gun. Thomas faced 16 years in prison.

Thomas is in jail on $100,000 bond.