Indianapolis man faces 17 armed robbery charges for targeting Asian spas
By Ryan General
A 42-year-old man is facing a barrage of charges, including multiple counts of armed robbery, after allegedly targeting a number of Asian spas in Indianapolis.
Crime spree: Roy King, who lives in the city, stands accused of a crime spree that spanned Sept. 5-26, robbing three different Asian spas in Indianapolis — Angel, Sunshine and Rosemary. Court documents say King brazenly stole money from all three establishments and even took an employee’s iPhone at Rosemary Spa. His choice of targets, all equipped with varying degrees of security systems, initially made it challenging for law enforcement to identify him.
Tracking the suspect: Sunshine Spa’s footage revealed King robbing the establishment while wearing a mask and a baseball cap. However, investigators identified a vehicle of interest in the footage and later spotted a white minivan believed to be driven by King.
During a robbery at Rosemary Spa, neighboring businesses were able to capture an image of a white Chrysler Town and Country. In addition to the photos, authorities used license plate readers to identify the vehicle used in all three robberies.
King’s arrest: On Oct. 8, King attempted to rob N Spa on the east side while the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department’s undercover robbery unit and the FBI’s Safe Street Task Force were surveilling the vehicle of interest. A confrontation ensued in the establishment, resulting in King fleeing in his van. The police eventually caught up to King when he abandoned his van near Cold Spring School.
In an interview with police, King admitted to the robberies, even detailing his involvement and initialing the surveillance photos that captured him in the act. He also confessed to selling a 9mm handgun and discarding the clothing worn during the crimes.
Trial ahead: King, who made his initial court appearance last week, now faces a litany of charges, including kidnapping with a deadly weapon, 17 charges of armed robbery, unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, kidnapping, criminal confinement while armed with a deadly weapon and other weapons charges. He is currently held on a $150,000 surety bond and a $2,000 cash bond.
The maximum penalty for a Level 3 felony in Indiana, which include some of the charges he’s facing, is 16 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. King’s case is scheduled for a jury trial on Jan. 22, 2024.
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