Warrant issued in robbery case

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — A judge has issued a warrant for the arrest of a man who failed to appear in court for his jury trial on a robbery charge.

Judge Maureen A. Sweeney of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court ordered the arrest of John C. Houser, 24, whose last known address was on Hilton Avenue, revoked his $25,000 bond and ordered him jailed after he failed to appear in her court Monday.

In a robbery, Houser pointed a realistic-looking toy gun at the head of a Boardman restaurant patron May 4, 2005, said Robert J. Andrews, assistant county prosecutor.

The patron disarmed Houser, and Houser ran away empty-handed, Andrews said.

The long delay in the case was due to the need for lab tests of DNA evidence, Andrews said.

If convicted of the robbery charge, Houser could be sentenced to two to eight years in prison.

Houser is described as black with black hair and brown eyes, 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing 140 pounds.