Jonathan Conklin (left) and Charles Sanford (right).
MAYVILLE – One of the two men arrested in connection with the shooting death of Mary Whitaker – the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra violinist found dead Aug. 20 inside her Westfield Home – is facing a new charge on an unrelated burglary case that took place earlier this month in Sherman.
Chautauqua County Sheriff Deputies say 43 year-old Jonathan Conklin is accused of entering Murdocks Family Restaurant on Aug. 3 and taking $1,150. He then traveled to Erie to avoid police. On Wednesday, Sheriff deputies charged Conklin with grand larceny in connection to that case. Investigators add that more charges are also possible.
Conklin and 30 year-old Charles Sanford were both arrested in Erie on August 22 for their alleged involvement in the shooting death of the 61 year-old Whitaker. They have since been charged with stealing property, taking it across state lines and carjacking. They were scheduled to reappear in Federal Court in Buffalo Thursday Morning for a detention hearing.
A grand jury is deciding whether or not the two will also be charged with murder in connection to the Whitaker case.
Investigators say the two men tried to rob Whitaker at her Westfield home during the early morning hours of Aug. 20 and ended up shooting and stabbing her to death. At the time of the murder, a warrant was already out for Conklin’s arrest.
Both Conklin and Sanford are currently being held in the Chautauqua County jail without bail.
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