Man reports robbery

Man reports robbery
YOUNGSTOWN -- A North Bloomfield man who works downtown told police he was robbed of $1,131 at 2:40 p.m. Thursday after cashing his payroll check at National City Bank on Federal Plaza West.
The victim said that, as he left the bank, he was approached by a woman and a man in a gray suit who said: "If you know what's good for you, empty your pockets," reports show.
Police were told there could have been a gun, but the victim isn't sure. The victim handed over his money and the couple got into a burgundy car and drove off.
Armed robbery
LIBERTY -- An armed robber got away Thursday night with $500 from the owner of Ramz's, a Belmont Avenue clothing store. The owner told police he was locking the door about 7:30 p.m. with the receipts when he noticed a man bent over, tying his shoe lace. The man pulled a handgun and ordered the owner back into the store. He refused and gave the thief the money.
Charge is dismissed
YOUNGSTOWN -- A woman who was cited earlier this month for reckless operation and failure to operate her vehicle without full-time attention after nearly striking a cruiser had the more serious charge dismissed this week because she did not cause an accident, said Megan Brundege, night prosecutor for municipal court.
The reckless operation charge against Nancy McCain-Walker, 34, of East Boston Avenue, was dismissed and the failure to control was amended to unsafe vehicle, which saved McCain-Walker from having points put on her license, Brundege said.
McCain-Walker pleaded no contest and was fined $75.
HEAP programs
YOUNGSTOWN -- The emergency and regular Home Energy Assistance Program is again being offered to low-income households by the Mahoning Youngstown Community Action Partnership.
Applicants for emergency assistance should call the toll-free 24-hour number, (866) 223-1125, beginning Monday.
Emergency HEAP is for those whose utilities have been terminated and those who face the threat of disconnection or have less than a 10-day supply of bulk fuel. Applications for regular HEAP, for those not facing disconnection, may be picked up in the MYCAP office at 101 Federal Plaza East from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Driver is killed
LAKE MILTON -- Cherrone Spurlock, 19, of Boardman died Thursday morning after an accident on Interstate 76, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Canfield post, said.
Spurlock, traveling west through a construction site and passing other vehicles around 8:20 a.m., drove off the right side of the road and hit a concrete divider when swerving back, the patrol said.
Spurlock was ejected when the car flipped over and came to rest on its roof.
Theft discovered
YOUNGSTOWN -- The theft of $1,500 from the city health department on Oak Hill Avenue was discovered Thursday by a secretary who told police she had put the cash in a drawer a week ago and locked it.
WRTA ridership
YOUNGSTOWN -- Ridership at Western Reserve Transit Authority was up 11 percent in September compared with the same month last year: 133,000 riders this September compared with 117,000 in September 2003, reported Jim Ferraro, executive director, during a meeting of the board of trustees Thursday afternoon.
Ridership has been steadily increasing over the past year and a half, Ferraro noted.
To better accommodate riders, WRTA will take possession of seven new buses, complete with wheelchair lifts, early next year, Ferraro added.
The buses should be on the road by early February.
Man faces sex charge
HUBBARD -- City police charged a 45-year-old Hubbard man with having sexual contact with a 13-year-old boy.
Harold Nirchi of Doris Drive faces a charge of sexual imposition, a misdemeanor.
He is in the Trumbull County Jail and was to be arraigned today in Girard Municipal Court.
Detective Robert Altier alleged Nirchi and the boy were playing video games Oct. 18 at a downtown restaurant. The boy left on his bicycle and went to a Mock Street carport to get out of the rain.
Nirchi showed up on his bicycle. The boy told police he was offered cigarettes to touch Nirchi, while Nirchi said the boy initiated the activity.
The detective explained that a person in a nearby apartment building saw the activity and called police.