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2 men arrested in armed robberies
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
YOUNGSTOWN
City police arrested two men who they said are involved in two separate armed robberies in the city.
Gerald Johnson, 30, of Holly Drive, Girard, appeared Thursday for arraignment before Judge Robert Milich of Youngstown Municipal Court on charges of illegally possessing a weapon and aggravated robbery.
Prosecutors, during the arraignment process, told the court that Johnson has prior arrests for drug offenses, carrying a concealed weapon and receiving stolen property. Judge Milich set bond at $250,000.
According to police, a 53-year-old Virginia truck driver was making a delivery to the Family Dollar store on Market Street at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday when Johnson approached the man, pointed a rifle in his face and demanded money. The driver handed over his wallet.
Reports say Johnson placed the rifle between his legs and began taking money out of the wallet, but the driver grabbed the rifle and began wrestling with Johnson over the weapon.
The driver told police Johnson fired a shot hoping to hit him as the two wrestled over the gun. The driver’s partner, a New Jersey man, was awakened by the gunfire and joined in the struggle for the gun.
Officers arrived to find Johnson pinned to the ground by the two truck drivers. Johnson reportedly tried to run from officers but was sprayed in the face with pepper spray.
Ricky Paige, 24, of Oregon Avenue, also appeared Thursday before Judge Milich for arraignment on two counts of aggravated robbery.
Prosecutors told the court Paige has a past arrest record for aggravated menacing, participating in criminal gang activity and aggravated robbery. Judge Milich set bond at $500,000.
A 49-year-old Miltonia Avenue man told police Paige, whom he knows from past interactions, came to the door of his home at 12:30 a.m. April 17 asking to use the restroom. The man said he opened the door for Paige, but two other men pushed their way into the home with Paige.
Reports say one of the men pulled a gun, ordering the man and his wife to the ground. The other two men began going through the house and stole various items including a flat-screen TV, four rings, $14 cash and an assortment of DVD movies.
Police arrested Paige at his home Wednesday.