No indictments for three charged in Middletown gas station robbery, including employee

Three of four people charged in connection with an armed robbery of a Middletown gas station have been released from jail after indictments were not returned.

A Butler County grand jury last week declined to indict Dhaval Patel, Nicholas Wallace and Zachary Ritchie on felony charges stemming from the robbery of the Shell gas station on North Verity Parkway in February.

Officers were called to the station at about 12:54 a.m. on Feb. 5 for the robbery report. An investigation indicated two people went into the gas station, displayed a black revolver and demanded money.

Detectives arrested Patel, 27, of the 800 block of North University Boulevard. Patel was charged with conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery, tampering with evidence, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Nicholas Wallace, 18, of the 100 block of Tanbark Dr. in Hamilton, was charged with aggravated robbery and tampering with evidence. Zachary Ritchie, 19, of the 5000 block of Hendrickson Road in Madison Twp., was charged with aggravated robbery and tampering with evidence. And a 17-year-old from Hamilton was charged with aggravated robbery and tampering with evidence.

Police alleged Patel planned and participated in the robbery. He was working behind the counter during the robbery.

The 17-year-old was the one holding the gun in previously released surveillance photos, according to police.

Patal, Wallace and Ritchie were released from the Butler County Jail last week when the grand jury report was released and indictments were not returned against them.

The 17-year-old’s case is still pending in Butler County Juvenile Court.

Assistant Butler County Prosecutor Brad Burress said Middletown police are still investigating the case and more evidence may be presented to the grand jury in the future.

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