Youngstown police probe 2 robberies over weekend

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — City police are investigating two robberies in the city over the weekend.

A 35-year-old city man was working in a garage in the 1900 block of Wilson Avenue at 3:16 p.m. Saturday when a man came in and asked if he had change for a $20. When the man opened his wallet to provide the change, the thief demanded all of his money.

Reports say the thief took $43 and a debit card before jumping in a car driven by a woman and leaving the area.

Reports say officers arrested a woman believed to be the driver of the car at a known crack house in the 2100 block of Mount Vernon on Sunday morning.

Amy Evans, 30, of Austintown was charged with aggravated robbery and illegal use of a food-stamp card based on her possession of a card in the name of another person, police said. She is being held in the Mahoning County jail.

Evans told police she picked the man up and made several stops including a “shop on Wilson Avenue.”

Police also are investigating the robbery of a 20-year-old Pennsylvania man at Market Street and Dewey Avenue at 5:30 p.m. Sunday.

The victim told police he was at a gas station at the intersection of South Avenue and Dewey asking for directions to Market Street when a man offered assistance. The victim followed the man to Market and Dewey, and then the man got out, walked back to his car and said, “This is it.”

The victim offered to pay the man for his help, but when the victim pulled out his wallet, the thief pulled out a gun and demanded all his possessions. The thief made off with $70, a debit card and a bookbag containing a video-game system and an iPod.