Friday, June 7, 2002
John K. Ruble Sr. was killed as he attempted to stop a man who stole his wife's purse.
BOARDMAN -- Investigators are awaiting lab results on a 1987 Cadillac to see if it will help them find the person involved in the death of a 71-year-old Struthers man.
The car, navy-blue with a squared rear, was discovered by police Saturday in the 100 block of East Myrtle Avenue in Youngstown. Boardman Police Chief Jeffrey L. Patterson said the car has been processed for evidence by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation.
"We don't expect the lab results for a while yet," he said.
What happened
Investigators believe the vehicle was involved in the death of John K. Ruble Sr. the afternoon of May 31.
Ruble attempted to stop a suspect who stole his wife's purse from their car as they unloaded items at the recycling center behind the Boardman fire station on South Avenue.
Ruble was initially dragged by the vehicle, and the driver then backed up, crushing Ruble's legs. He died in an ambulance on the way to St. Elizabeth Health Center.
No arrests have been made.
Police were looking for a car with damage to the driver's side; the Cadillac has such damage.
The suspect in the case is described as a white male in his early 20s with a slender build, very short and has dark hair and a pointed nose. He was wearing a white T-shirt at the time.
Anyone with information on the case can contact Sgt. Nick Levinsky or Sgt. Steve Riwniak at the Boardman Police Department, (330) 726-4144.