GIRARD Men charged with trying to steal drugs from store

One of the men intended to tie up the pharmacy owner with duct tape, police say.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
GIRARD -- Police say they captured two men this morning just minutes after they attempted to steal drugs from a pharmacy.
Charged with attempted aggravated robbery are Scott A. Rindfuss, 36, who has Youngstown and Niles addresses, and William J. Coudriet, 53, of Warren Avenue, Niles.
Capt. Frank Bigowsky said Rindfuss has a drug habit and believes the two intended to tie up Paul Nuzzi, owner of Brine Pharmacy, 906 N. State St., and steal painkilling narcotics.
Detective John Norman said Nuzzi drove his car to the back of his store shortly before 8 a.m to dump trash.
When he got back into his vehicle and backed up, he felt the car hit something. A man dressed in black clothing, a mask and what appeared to be a knife or gun ordered him out of his car.
With his car doors locked, Nuzzi called 911.
Fleeing the scene
Police said the would-be robber, whom they later identified as Rindfuss, fled west along Harry Street.
Norman said a witness approached police and said the man got into a red-colored car at Stambaugh Street and Rush Avenue.
Police put out a description of the getaway car that passed Bigowsky and Norman as they were each driving north along U.S. Route 422. The car passed them in the opposite direction.
The detectives broadcast that two men in a maroon Pontiac Sunbird had passed them. Patrol officers Greg Manente and Chris O'Brien stopped the car at Market and Liberty streets.
Police recovered a dark jacket, mask, sunglasses, knife and duct tape that Norman said Rindfuss threw away as he ran for the car.
yovich@vindy.com