Norristown Man robbed, throat slit by man he met online

A 28-year-oldLycoming County man was arraigned over the weekend on first-degree murder charges in the September death of a Norristown man who he allegedly tied up and killed by slitting his throat, the Associated Press reports.

Chad Marshall Wilcox, of Williamsport, met Manuel Hakimian, 36, through a Craigslist ad, police said, that solicited for sex. Wilcox told detectives that Hakimian picked him up on Sept. 20 and drove to Hakimian’s home. Wilcox claimed he plotted with three other men to rob the victim.

Detectives said there is no evidence that supports there was anyone else involved.

Hakimian’s body was discovered the next day at his apartment by family members who were concerned after he did not show up for a family event, the AP reports. Police said his car, computer, cellphone and wallet were missing.

Montgomery County Deputy District Attorney Thomas W. McGoldrick said the murder was “very vicious.”

Wilcox allegedly used stolen bank and credit cards in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and Tenneessee. Police in Virginia. He was arrested in North Carolina and returned to Lycoming on a bench warrant, the AP reports, after he failed to show up for his trial on child rape charges.

Wilcox is being held without bail. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 7.