Man pleads innocent in beating, robbery at a hotel in Fayetteville

FAYETTEVILLE — A Fayetteville man who police say beat and robbed a man at a hotel in late February pleaded innocent Friday in Washington County Circuit Court.

Christopher L. Westbrook, 46, was arrested Feb. 28 in connection with robbery, terroristic threatening, breaking or entering a building, first-degree criminal mischief, misdemeanor third-degree battery and a parole violation. He was being held Friday in the Washington County jail with no bond set.

The victim told police he was robbed early Feb. 27 at the Staybridge Suites at 1577 W. 15th St. in Fayetteville, according to a preliminary police report.

Police noted the victim, who was not identified in the report, had redness and cuts on the bridge of his nose, and on his ear and forehead. All four tires on his car had been slashed.

The victim told police he had taken someone to the hotel, they smoked marijuana together and the victim immediately passed out. The victim said he suspected the marijuana had been laced with something.

The victim awakened to being punched in the face. He was missing his shirt and shoes, and his pockets were empty.

The victim grabbed his car keys from a table and ran from the hotel, the report states. He told police he could not remember the room number.

When he got home, the victim smelled burning rubber and realized his tires had all been slashed and the stereo and other items were missing, according to the report. There was also $200 missing from his wallet. The stolen items were valued at $2,550.

The victim told police Westbrook had sent him a threatening text Feb. 27.

Police obtained video from Staybridge Suites and determined what room the attack took place in. Blood and drug paraphernalia were found in the room. Video showed Westbrook arriving at 2:37 a.m., walking to the victim’s vehicle and slashing the tires, the report said. At 4:08 a.m., Westbrook was seen on video returning to the car with the victim’s keys and taking the stereo and other items, according to police.

Westbrook returned to the hotel room at 4:37 a.m., and at 4:40 a.m. the victim was seen in the video fleeing the room with blood dripping from his face, according to the report.