Ex-Pride player gets 4 years for robbing, shooting officer

WARREN — Garry Robbins, a former member of the Youngstown Pride professional basketball team in the late 1980s, will spend four years in prison for robbing and accidentally shooting a Liberty police officer near the officer’s home in 2006.

Robbins, 44, of Norwood Avenue , Youngstown, pleaded guilty in July to robbery, assault on a peace officer and breaking and entering. His sentencing was Tuesday in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court before Judge Andrew Logan.

Police said Sgt. Robert Greaf was returning to his home at around 6 a.m. July 9, 2006, after working a shift for the police department when he observed Robbins rummaging through a van on his property.

He confronted Robbins, chased him into the backyard, and got into a struggle with him, said Chris Becker, an assistant county prosecutor. During the struggle, Greaf’s gun went off, striking him in the arm, Becker said. Robbins was arrested later in the township.

Part of Robbins’ plea agreement was that he pay restitution of $75,000 to Greaf, Becker said. On Tuesday, Robbins paid $40,000 of the restitution and will owe the court the remaining $35,000.

The purpose of the restitution was to prevent Greaf from having to file a civil suit over the matter, Becker said.

Robbins also was a member of the Youngstown State University Penguins basketball team from 1984 to 1986 and led the Penguins in scoring in 1986. He played his high school basketball at Struthers High School.