WELLSVILLE Homicide probe continues in earnest, prosecutor says

Authorities think they've found a motive for the slaying of Craig Roberts but aren't saying what it is.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
LISBON -- More than three months have passed since Wellsville businessman Craig Roberts was found mortally wounded in his home.
No arrests have been made in the case, which has been ruled a homicide. The absence of an arrest doesn't mean the probe is stalled, however, said Robert Herron, Columbiana County prosecutor.
"The Wellsville Police Department continues to be working on this very actively," said Herron, whose office is monitoring the investigation and questioning witnesses brought before a grand jury.
"People have to understand that a case has to be developed. Some cases are developed more quickly than others," added Herron, who declined to say whether authorities are getting close to making an arrest.
"There's a lot of work to do," Herron added. "No one is dragging their feet."
The prosecutor said his office has brought a half-dozen people before a grand jury to testify.
What happened
Roberts, 43, was found wounded Aug. 26 in the master bedroom of his home at 502 Wells-Hollow Road. He had been shot twice in the head overnight before he was discovered by a household member.
There was no sign of a struggle in the house, which was occupied by other people when the shooting occurred.
Roberts lived with a woman and some of her family members, Herron has said.
Roberts, who operated a vehicle-towing enterprise from his home, died at a Pittsburgh hospital hours after the shooting. The firearm used in the crime has yet to be found.
Investigators think they have established a motive for the crime and "clearly have developed suspects," Herron said without elaborating. He has previously said robbery is not among the motives.
Roberts' death is the county's third homicide this year.
leigh@vindy.com