Police seek man who escaped from hospital

By John W. Goodwin Jr.

The man faces gun, drug and escape charges.

YOUNGSTOWN — Police are looking for the man responsible for stealing items out of a woman’s car, which ultimately led to gun, drug and escape charges against him.

Police seek Rodney A. Smith Jr., 19, of Robinwood Avenue, after he escaped from St. Elizabeth Health Center while under a police hold. He is charged with robbery, two counts of carrying a concealed weapon, receiving stolen property, possession of crack, possession of marijuana, forgery and felony escape.

According to police reports, a 29-year-old Austintown woman went to pick up a friend in the 3000 block of Hudson Avenue on Saturday evening when a man believed to be Smith leaned into her car and asked if she wanted “dog food” or “Cadi” — street slang for heroin and crack cocaine.

The woman told police she told Smith she did not want any drugs, but was looking to pick up a friend. She told officers Smith was still leaning in the car looking at her things so she pulled away. Reports say the woman immediately noticed a cell phone and change purse missing.

The woman went back and the man admitted to having the property, but told the woman that he was not going to return the items.

The woman flagged down a passing police car. Officers called the cell phone pretending to be the woman’s father. Smith, who answered the phone, purportedly said he would return the cell phone for $40 if someone would meet him at an address on Ravenwood Avenue near Erie Street.

When officers arrived at the Ravenwood address they saw Smith standing on the porch holding a handgun in each hand. Reports say he noticed police approaching and tried to put a young female, who also had been standing on the porch, between himself and officers. The young girl ran off the porch crying and screaming.

Officers, reports say, drew their weapons and ordered Smith to drop the guns, but he ran into the house. After several commands to drop the guns, reports say he tossed the firearms farther into the house and came to the door.

Police said Smith had to be forced to the ground. The woman’s cell phone was found next to him. Police found cocaine, marijuana and more than $1,000 in his pockets.

Reports say both guns Smith was holding when officers arrived were stolen.

Smith was refused entry into the Mahoning County jail because he said he had taken Ecstasy and had a stomachache. He was taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center but he left the hospital shortly after his arrival.

jgoodwin@vindy.com