Poland detective ties suspect to bank robbery

STRUTHERS — Good luck and alert police work led to the arrest of a Youngstown man in the Dec. 9 robbery of First Place Bank inside Nemenz IGA supermarket on Creed Street.

Cory Sheely, 28, of Bancroft Avenue, pleaded innocent Wednesday to aggravated robbery and receiving stolen property at his arraignment in municipal court. He is being held in Mahoning County Justice Center in lieu of $126,000 bond.

His preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9:45 a.m. Wednesday, court officials said.

Struthers Police Detective Jeff Pantell explained how Sheely was arrested Tuesday: the suspect was in Struthers jail awaiting a court appearance on a stolen check charge lodged by Poland Township Police Detective Jerry Velasques.

Velasques had seen the Struthers bank robbery report and told Pantell that Sheely seemed to fit the description of the robber provided by bank employees.

After Sheely was questioned by Detectives Pantell and Bob Smith, he was charged with the bank robbery. A search of his residence turned up a jacket and hat, which were identified by bank employees.

Also found was a note similar to the one handed to the bank teller, which said, “Get normal or you will get hurt.”

At the same time, the suspect had whispered to the teller to count out $2,000 and give it to him. No weapon was suggested or produced during the robbery, police reports said.

The note found was not the actual one used in the robbery. Pantell said Sheely admitted he had thrown away the note he used in the robbery.

Pantell said Velasques’ help in arresting Sheely was invaluable.