Police: $800 robbery preceded Wis. slayings, fire

MILWAUKEE -- Two felons are charged with homicide and arson in the deaths of two women and two children in a case that allegedly began with an $800 robbery.

A criminal complaint says 19-year-old Brittney Robertson believed roommate Rachel Thompson had cash in their duplex.

Authorities say Robertson, 21-year-old Desmond Laster and 23-year-old Anthony Edward Barnes robbed Thompson last week and wound up killing the woman and two of her boys, ages three and four. They then allegedly set fire to the duplex.

Police say the three fled with Thompson's 6-week-old son, who was found outside a church.

The complaint says Barnes later shot Robertson in the head because he thought she'd talk to police.

Laster and Barnes each face first-degree intentional homicide and arson charges.