Robbery, beating reported downtown

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

A 39-year-old man is in police custody, charged with aggravated robbery after reportedly beating another man at a downtown grocery store and snatching $5.

Police arrested JayJuane Hardy and took him to Mahoning County jail on the robbery charge.

Police reports say Hardy and the other man were standing outside the Downtown Circle store on West Federal Street at 8:39 p.m. Thursday talking. Witnesses told police there suddenly was a loud banging sound, and Hardy could be seen smashing the other man’s head into the store’s large front window.

Police arrived to find the other man bloodied and Hardy standing over him asking, “Why would you do that? Why would you hit your head like that?” Hardy told officers the man’s injuries were self- inflicted.

Police interviewed the victim who told officers Hardy asked him for $10. The man said he told Hardy he did not have $10, but could spare $5. The man said Hardy became angry, snatched the $5 and a Western Reserve Transit Authority bus pass, then began banging his head into the window.

Witnesses told police once Hardy realized the police had been called, he attempted to leave the area and take the victim, who was visibly intoxicated, with him.

The victim was taken to ValleyCare Northside Medical Center for treatment.