Girard man charged with misdemeanor theft, assault

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Gabriel Artis, 47, of Forsyth Avenue, Girard, is in Mahoning County jail on a $12,500 bond after being charged with misdemeanor theft and assault.

He was arraigned Thursday before Judge Robert Douglas of Youngstown Municipal Court.

According to police reports, Artis walked into the Augusta Market on Augusta Street on the city’s East Side about noon Wednesday, picked up a beer and told the clerk he was not paying for the item and was in fact robbing the store.

Store employees told police they were in fear of Artis’ harming them, so they let him leave, but one of the workers followed him outside. The worker reportedly did attempt to stop Artis outside, but Artis punched the man in the face.

Police said Artis also grabbed a gold chain from around the employee’s neck and broke it. Police arrived at the market and arrested Artis in front of the store.