Officials probe armed robberies at two businesses

In both robberies, the suspects were thought to be driving a light-colored older car.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Police are investigating armed robberies at two city businesses -- one on the North Side and one on the South Side.
Employees at Charlie Staple's Restaurant, West Rayen Avenue, told police that three black males came into the restaurant about 10:45 p.m. Friday. One of the men pulled out a gun, jumped up on a counter and demanded money, pointing the gun in a female employee's face.
Another employee pulled the female from behind the counter and they fled to a storage room. The robber fired shots as the employees retreated to the storage room.
A second robber also had a gun.
The robbers left empty-handed in a light-colored older car.
Employees at Gina's Drive-Thru, Glenwood Avenue, told police that two black males came into the business about 10:50 p.m. Friday, pulled out revolvers and demanded money. The men forced the two employees behind the counter, ordering them to open the cash register. The employees complied and one of the men grabbed an undetermined amount of cash.
The robbers then went through the employee's pockets, taking cash and a wallet. A witness started to come into the store while the robbery was going on, but ran out when he saw what was happening. The robbers fired shots into the store ceiling before fleeing, reports said.
Witnesses reported seeing a third man, but the victims told police they saw only two.
An older, light-colored GM model car, believed to be driven by the suspects, was seen headed north on Glenwood.
Witnesses in both robberies reported one of the men was wearing a coat or jacket with "First Down" printed on it.