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Police advise caution after recent robberies
YOUNGSTOWN
Police are encouraging the elderly and those using automated teller machines to use extra caution in light of two robberies that took place along the Youngstown/Boardman border this week.
In one situation, a 73-year-old Southern Boulevard woman was shoved to the ground and jewelry ripped from her neck while she waited for a bus Wednesday.
Another man had money snatched from his car Wednesday as he withdrew the funds from an ATM in the 3900 block of Market Street.
Boardman and Youngstown police departments both played a role in the pursuit of the suspected thieves.
Youngstown Police Chief Jimmy Hughes said anyone using an ATM must pick a location where they can see who is approaching from any direction.
“Keep an eye on those who pull up directly behind you or may try to get too close,” he said. “Just being aware of your surroundings and who is around you is always the best course of action.”
Detective Jerry Kamensky of the Boardman Police Department said it is also good to try and use an ATM during the day and look around every few seconds to make sure there is no suspicious activity. He said have your card ready as you approach the machine and make sure you are not being followed as you leave.
Kamensky said if anything appears out of line, go to a place with a lot of people and call police.
Boardman police charged Russell A. Rogers, 30, of Wychwood Lane, Youngstown, with robbery in the ATM incident. Police arrested Rogers near a business in the 4100 block of Market Street after police set up a perimeter after the robbery. The 55-year-old victim identified Rogers as the man who robbed him.
County records show Rogers has had previous arrests for possession of drug instruments, drug abuse, contempt of court and a probation violation.
Reports say the victim was at the ATM withdrawing money when Rogers walked up and asked if he needed help operating the machine. The victim said immediately after asking if he needed help, Rogers opened the man’s car door and snatched the $480 just withdrawn from the bank and ran away.
The bank manager and an employee at a nearby restaurant witnessed the robbery and gave police a description of the thief.
Reports say officers used the description provided by witnesses to identify Rogers. Police found $480 in Rogers’ pocket upon his arrest and, reports say, he told officers he was responsible for the robbery.
The elderly woman was not injured in the attack later Wednesday afternoon, but Hughes said this is another area where caution is necessary. He said many unscrupulous individuals see the elderly as easy targets.
“It has come to that time when the elderly have to be careful when out like that. We always preach avoidance and just being aware of your surroundings,” he said.
According to reports, the 73-year-old woman was standing near a church in the area of Sunset Boulevard and Midlothian Boulevard just before 1 p.m. talking to a man and waiting for the bus when a second man walked up and began quietly speaking with the first man. The woman told police the second man snatched a chain that was hanging around her neck, knocking her to the ground.
Several witnesses told police the men ran to a home on Potomac Avenue. Police from both departments surrounded the house, but did not find the men — both described as black males in their teens or early 20s.