Robbery suspect waives hearing

STAFF REPORT

WARREN — A 27-year-old Niles man waived his preliminary hearing and was bound over to a Trumbull County grand jury on a charge that he robbed the First Place Bank in the Elm Road Plaza on April 10.

Justin R. Bowman, of Ward Avenue, could face up to eight years in prison if convicted. He also is a suspect in a similar robbery of the First Place Bank on Belmont Avenue in Liberty on Jan. 20.

In the Warren robbery, a man about 6 feet tall in his early 20s walked into the bank at 10:50 a.m., told a teller he had a gun and ordered the employee to give him money from her drawer.

The man received the money and left on foot without causing a disturbance. No gun was seen. The man wasn’t wearing a mask.

In the Liberty robbery, a man around 6 feet tall in his 20s walked into the bank at about 2:40 p.m. and received money but didn’t show a weapon. The man also left the bank on foot.