Strickland Case Summary

MILLERSBURG — Identified through DNA evidence collected from urine left at the scene of a crime, Delaware County man on Wednesday denied criminal involvement in an armed robbery of a Monroe Township couple in their home.

Kevin A. Strickland, 24, who currently is incarcerated at the Toledo Correctional Institution, pleaded not guilty in Holmes County Common Pleas Court to aggravated robbery and theft.

If convicted of the charges, which include a specification alleging the use of a firearm, Strickland faces up to 12 years in prison.

The charges stem from a Feb. 9, 2013 incident.

That 's when Holmes County Sheriff 's deputies were called in the middle of the night to a home along County Road 320. They arrived to find the residents alone, after an intruder had fled with $2,500 cash, according to Detective Kyle Vaughn.

The residents said a man, armed with a handgun, forced his way into their home and demanded cash. An argument ensued, during which time he reportedly pointed the gun at the residents while making threats, said Vaughn.

He eventually left in an awaiting vehicle, said Vaughn, noting that information shared with suspects at a party earlier that evening likely led them to the home where a work crew had previously seen the cash.

Strickland is alleged to have been the driver of the vehicle, near which he waited while the other man went into the home. However, it is suggested Strickland urinated on the ground near the vehicle. A sample of that urine was collected by investigators and, earlier this year, were found to match a sample submitted, as the consequence of an unrelated conviction, to the state by Strickland, said Vaughn.

Investigators are still looking for evidence to identify and connect possibly two others to the crime, said Vaughn.

The money was never recovered, he said.

Strickland is next scheduled to appear in court for a Nov. 9 pretrial conference. A jury trial is set for Dec.