Police investigate 2 armed robberies

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Circle K store #5326 in Boardman. Time stamp 1:36:38 am on July 22, 2010.

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Circle K store #5326 in Boardman. Time stamp 1:36:33 am on July 22, 2010.

Staff report

Boardman

Police are searching for the person or persons responsible for two Thursday morning armed robberies.

The first occurred about 1:30 a.m. at Circle K, 7103 Lockwood Blvd. A man walked into the store, saw customers and left, saying he’d forgotten his wallet.

When the man returned 40 minutes later, he had a blue shirt wrapped on his left hand and told the cashier: “Open the cash register and give me what’s in it,” and “I already shot someone tonight, so you better do what I tell you.”

He took $41 in $1 bills, leaving the $5 and $10 bills untouched. He then took the cashier’s car keys and wallet and drove away in her Buick Park Avenue.

A surveillance photo shows the man is between 5 feet 8 inches and 5 feet 9 inches tall, average build, with dark hair, 20 to 30 years old.

Police saw the car on Idora and Griselda avenues, which is where the man fled on foot. Youngstown and Canfield police dogs were called to the scene but did not find the man. The car and wallet were recovered.

Around 10:30 a.m., another robbery took place at Brown’s Drug Store, 5106 Southern Blvd. A man held a customer hostage at knife point. He took cash and narcotics, such as OxyContin and Vicodin, and got away in the customer’s Dodge Caravan.

“The descriptions are similar,” said Boardman detective Sgt. Glen Riddle. “It’s a 50-50 shot that it could be the same guy.”

Boardman police are offering a cash reward for information about either robbery. Those with information are asked to call 330-726-4144 and ask for Sgt. Riddle.