Man Robbed in Norman Hotel May Have Some Explaining to Do

4/24/07 -- Norman, OK - An Independence MO. man is reportedly robbed of his money, personal items and his vehicle while staying at a Norman hotel. Court records shed light on and cast questions of the facts around the case - begging the question - Was the victim rolled by a hooker he had hired?

The story was originally reported by the Norman Transcript and other media outlets as a simple robbery after the victim, James Sprake, allegedly answered a knock to his hotel room door.

The robbery occurred in the early morning hours of March 22nd.

Sprake told police that three people entered his room and robbed him at gun point.

The three then drove away in Sprake's 2003 Lincoln Navigator.

The alleged robbers were described as two males and a teenage female.

While media reports would have you believe Sprake was the victim of an anonymous robbery, recently released court records show an interesting 'relationship' between Sprake and at least one of his robbers.

All three alleged robbers have been identified as Ashley Dawn Loftis, 18, Zachary Ryan Suter (Yukon, OK), 31, Steven Alexis Sanchez (Moore, OK), 21.

According to the probable cause affidavit, "Between the 19th and 22nd days of March 2007, James Sprake (victim) had an agreement with an Ashley Dawn Loftis - for her to 'be his girlfriend and hang out together' for an undetermined period of time, with the possibility of Loftis accompanying Sprake to his final destination in New Mexico."

The report goes on to state that Sprake "provided a lot of cash to Loftis" and that they visited several Oklahoma casinos.

The report also details that Sprake was introduced to Suter and Sanchez by Loftis, as friends.

On the morning of March 22nd, Loftis left Sprake and had Suter and Sanchez pick her up at the Super 8 Motel, where she and Sprake had been staying and return her to Oklahoma City.

Sprake, along with Suter and Sanchez, allegedly plotted to return to the Norman area. There Loftis would contact Sprake and tell him she had decided to go with him to New Mexico and could she come over.

Sprake agreed, and at about 8:00 a.m. Loftis returned to Sprake's room with Suter and Sanchez in tow.

When Sprake opened the door the trio walked in.

According to police, once inside the room, "Loftis advises Sprake that he 'owes her' and demands the keys to his vehicle as well as cash." At that point, Sanchez allegedly produces a handgun.

Sprake gives up his cash, car keys, cell phone and a briefcase. To delay Sprake from calling the police, one of the robbers removes the hotel room phone handset and placed it into the briefcase as they left.

The next day Loftis and Sanchez are arrested.

On April 18th all three were charged with felony crimes.

Loftis was charged with felony conspiracy to commit a robbery with a firearm, robbery with a firearm and larceny of a vehicle. Bond has been set at $25,000.

Sanchez was charged with felony conspiracy to commit a robbery with a firearm, robbery with a firearm and possession of a firearm. Bond has been set at $25,000.

Suter was charged with felony conspiracy to commit a robbery with a firearm and robbery with a firearm. Bond has been set at $50,000.