Trayvon Randolph

A suspected drug deal in the parking lot of Shrewsbury Elementary School went bad Wednesday afternoon when one man was robbed, ostensibly at gunpoint, police said.

Southern Regional Police and state police swarmed the neighborhood around the 331 S. Main St. school, according to Southern Regional Police Sgt. Darryl Smuck.

"Within five minutes of the robbery, we had six regional officers and five state police troopers in the area, searching for the suspects," he said. They arrested three people in about 10 minutes.

Police quickly learned no gun was used in the robbery, according to Smuck.

Just a can: "The alleged weapon ... was actually a can of deodorant inside a rolled-up paper bag, to make it look like a firearm," Smuck said.

According to police, a 24-year-old Shrewsbury man met with three people in the parking lot of the school about 4:15 p.m. Classes are over for the summer, according to Smuck.

"It was a prearranged meeting spot for all parties involved," Smuck said. "This (robbery) was not a random act. We believe that all the subjects were there for some sort of (drug deal)."

The alleged victim, whose name wasn't released, told police he was robbed of cash and his cellphone by the three men, one of whom was wearing a mask, police said.

He was able to describe the alleged robbers, and responding officers had some ideas who the suspects might be, Smuck said.

Busted: They arrested Trayvon Randolph, 18, at his home on Grant Court in Shrewsbury Township. He is now in York County Prison on $50,000 bail, charged with robbery, conspiracy, simple assault, theft and receiving stolen property.

Also arrested at Randolph's home was a 17-year-old male, charged as a juvenile with the same offenses, according to Smuck, who said the teen is now in a youth detention facility.

Armed with a search warrant, officers raided Randolph's home and recovered the victim's belongings, as well as the mask used during the robbery, Smuck said.

Third man released: The third man, a 39-year-old Baltimore City resident, was questioned and released, according to the sergeant.

"At this point, we are unable to determine whether he was aware the robbery was going to occur," Smuck said. "The investigation is ongoing," and the man could be charged if it's determined he conspired to commit the robbery, the sergeant said.

The 39-year-old man is a distant relative of Randolph's, according to Smuck.

Smuck said the Southern Regional Police Department is responding to more crime.

"We're seeing an increase in activity in drugs and robberies in our area," he said.

-- Liz Evans Scolforo can also be reached at levans@yorkdispatch.com.