4 arrested in Lewiston after robbery, shooting

LEWISTON – Two men and two juveniles were arrested early Friday and charged with robbing a man and shooting him in the face at close range with a pellet gun, police said.

The victim, Kenneth Leppala, told police he was beaten, robbed of about $75, a gold chain and marijuana, and then shot in the cheek Tuesday night on Pierce Street.

James E. Pontoo, 18, of Lewiston, Eddie E. Barbioni, 18, of East Dixfield, and two juveniles were arrested, police said.

Police said it was unclear who fired the shot at Leppala. All four suspects were charged with using force to rob him, the Sun Journal of Lewiston reported.

Leppala walked to a friend’s house after the robbery and called police, who began searching for the four suspects and believed they may be armed with a handgun.

“Those pellet guns can be as dangerous as a real gun,” said police Sgt. Michael McGonagle. “And they certainly can look like a real gun.”