Man suspected in Niles robbery jailed for similar crimes in area

A suspect charged with
several armed robberies was ‘bold,’ a Niles detective said.

By TIM YOVICH

VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF

NILES — A 31-year-old Akron man with ties to the Niles area faces several aggravated robbery charges after a Northeast Ohio crime spree that has landed him in the Portage County Jail.

Police Chief Bruce Simeone said Tuesday that an arrest warrant charging Tyrone Carroll with aggravated robbery has been obtained.

From his alleged activities, he seems to favor malls and shopping center stores.

Carroll, who frequented the Royal Mall Apartments in Niles, the chief said, is charged in the Nov. 14 robbery of Motherhood Maternity in the Eastwood Mall.

Simeone said a man walked into the store shortly before 11 a.m., indicated he had a gun and was given an undetermined amount of cash before leaving.

“He was bold,” said Detective James Robbins, who called attention to the robbery’s being pulled off during daylight.

Simeone said Carroll was picked out of a photo lineup by a witness to the mall robbery.

Robbins said Carroll is also a suspect in several area robberies.

According to Brimfield police in Portage County, Carroll was arrested Monday afternoon by Brimfield police and U.S. marshals at a motel at Interstate 76 and state Route 43.

Police said after securing the motel, Carroll was ordered to open the door but he refused. Officers went in anyway, and Carroll was subsequently treated at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna.

He was booked into Portage County jail in Ravenna by Brimfield police on four warrants charging him with aggravated robberies in other jurisdictions and possession of drugs, permitting drug abuse, resisting arrest and receiving stolen property.

Two women were also inside the room, police said.

Melanie Walker, 19, of Warren, was charged with possession of drugs, and Dana M. Lichtenberger, 28, of Mogadore was charged with possession of drugs and permitting drug abuse.

Police said they recovered crack cocaine, drug paraphernalia and prescription painkillers in the room. The receiving stolen property charge was filed because a stolen car Carroll was driving was recovered in the motel parking lot.

Detective Dave Bonnell of the North Olmsted Police Department said Carroll is charged there with Thursday’s robberies of a store in the Great Northern Mall and another in a shopping center and the Friday robbery of a store in a shopping center.

In the three robberies, Bonnell said, the thief indicated he had a firearm to get money.

A spokesman for the Akron Police Department said Carroll is also a suspect in a robbery there.

yovich@vindy.com