YOUNGSTOWN Robbery crossed the line, city says

3+The defendant is in jail and unable to post $50,000 in cash or surety bonds.
By PATRICIA MEADE
VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- John A. Hill crossed the line when he jumped into a teenager's car and stole money, the prosecutor said.
Hill, 35, of Glenwood Avenue, has been convicted 12 times of begging in the past five years.
He now faces felony charges of abduction and robbery. The arrest happened Tuesday -- the day after his most recent begging conviction.
At arraignment Wednesday in municipal court, Judge Robert P. Milich set bond at $25,000 cash or surety on each charge. Hill will be back in court Nov. 15 for a preliminary hearing.
Dealing with it
City Prosecutor Dionne M. Almasy said most cities are plagued by beggars. The reasons can include destitution, mental health problems or drug abuse.
"We're left to deal with the aftermath. It's often a nuisance issue but can be frightening to the victims," Almasy said Wednesday. "He clearly crossed the line this time and will be dealt with accordingly."
The prosecutor said police told her that Hill hangs out on the southwest side -- in the area of Bears Den, Canfield and Hopkins roads -- where he stops cars and asks the drivers for money. She had high praise for the police work that led to Hill's arrest.
Matched description
Officers who work the beat knew Hill matched the description given by a 17-year-old West Side boy who said a man jumped into his car Tuesday night on Hopkins, robbed him and forced him to drive to Glenwood.
Once in the boy's car, Hill grabbed $5 from a pocket and said: "Don't worry, I'm not going to hurt you; I just need a ride," reports show.
Hill told the boy he was from Cleveland and identified himself as James Williams, police said. The boy said the man grabbed $5 in change from the console before leaving the car.
After dropping off Hill, the boy drove home and told his mother what happened. When he got home, he was shaking and scared; he thought the man was going to hurt him, police said.
Officers took the boy to Hill's home, where a positive identification was made.
Once under arrest, Hill told police: "OK, man, I'm going to tell you the truth. I panhandled him, but I didn't rob him. I just asked for a ride and he gave me $5."
Out of character
Almasy said Hill's criminal history, mostly begging, shows that the abduction and robbery were a bit out of character. She suggested that maybe he's getting desperate, saw an opportunity and took it.
Begging, a minor misdemeanor, is not a jailable offense and those convicted cannot be placed on probation, Almasy said.
The punishment is a fine, with community service often allowed in lieu of payment.
Records show that on at least five prior convictions, Hill failed to perform community service. He then served time in jail for failure to comply with a court order.
meade@vindy.com