Police seek 3 men in West Side carry-out robbery

By John W. Goodwin Jr.

A woman is accused of obstruction in the case.

YOUNGSTOWN — City police continue looking for three men responsible for a grocery store robbery on the West Side, but they have arrested a woman they say is responsible for hindering the capture of those men.

Isha Butler, 19, of Tyrell Street, pleaded innocent Thursday to charges of obstructing official business before Judge Elizabeth Kobly of municipal court. Butler’s attorney said his client is eager to fight the charges. Butler was released on her own recognizance.

According to reports, officers were sent to the Schenley Carryout convenience store in the 2000 block of Mahoning Avenue just before 11:30 p.m. Wednesday for a robbery.

Two clerks working at the store told police three gunmen came into the store and demanded the money kept in the two cash registers at the counter.

Two of the men tried to force the first cash register open, breaking it. The third man put a gun to the clerk’s head and demanded he open the second register, which he did. The thieves stuffed the money into a white plastic shopping bag.

The thieves eventually ordered both clerks into a back room, where they were made to lie on the floor while the men fled the store through a back door.

Officers went to the store and got a description of the men, including their clothing, before searching the area.

According to reports, officers spotted three men fitting the description of the robbers and Butler standing in front of a home on Schenley Avenue. Officers attempted to question the group, but the men ran away and officers were unable to catch them.

Officers, according to reports, spoke with Butler, but she said there was no one in front of the house with her. Reports say she changed the story after a witness told police there were three men outside. She told police there was only one man whom she did not know, and he ran when police pulled up.

Officers, searching Butler’s car upon her arrest, found a black head covering believed to have been worn by one of the men. Police also found a denim jacket on a nearby street believed to have been worn by one of the men.

jgoodwin@vindy.com