Home invasion suspect charged with 4 felonies

The Youngstown man is in the county jail on $1 million bond.

By DAVID SKOLNICK

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

YOUNGSTOWN — Wearing a hospital gown and no longer in critical condition, a 28-year-old Youngstown man was arraigned on four felonies related to a home invasion on the city’s South Side.

Police say Derrick Harmon of Eastway Drive, armed with a gun, forced his way into the Belden Avenue home of Forrest Adams, 38, and his 13-year-old son, Galen Hobdy, late Monday as the two were entering the residence.

Adams was able to overpower Harmon, who dropped the gun, police said. Adams struck Harmon with a ceremonial ax and told his son to shoot Harmon, which he did.

Harmon was shot in the torso and was in critical condition at St. Elizabeth Health Center until being released from the hospital Friday.

Judge Robert Milich of Youngstown Municipal Court arraigned Harmon on Friday on two counts of felonious assault and a count each of aggravated robbery and aggravated burglary.

Harmon is being held on $1 million bond. He is scheduled to be back in court June 25 for a preliminary hearing.

Past convictions

Harmon was found guilty in October 2008 in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court of assault and three counts of aggravated robbery, as well as one count of firearm specifications, meaning he used a gun while committing a crime.

He was sentenced to serve eight years in the state prison system. He served from Dec. 16, 1998, to Nov. 25, 2006, and then began serving five years’ parole.

Adams suffered knife wounds to his left hand and upper arm during the struggle with Harmon, who police said was wearing a bulletproof vest and a bandanna on his face when he surprised Adams and his son.

Police said Harmon ordered the two to strip to their underwear and lie on the floor. When Adams told Harmon that he had no money, the suspect fired one round from the gun into the floor and threatened to shoot Galen, police said.

Later, when Harmon was looking through a closet, Adams grabbed the gun and struggled with Harmon, who fired one shot, police said. Adams was able to get Harmon’s bulletproof vest off and then had his son shoot the suspect, police said.

skolnick@vindy.com