Police: Escorts to bank available

Staff report

BOARDMAN

After a gunman took aim at an employee of a local business, police are reminding business managers that they can call officers when making night deposits.

Police Chief Jack Nichols said police are continuing the search for the man who pointed a gun at a Rulli Bros. employee about 10 p.m. Saturday. The chief said detectives believe the gunman was waiting to attempt a robbery when only one or two employees were in the South Avenue grocery store.

This type of “deposit robberies,” usually attempted at night, has declined with the popularity of cellphones because victims can call police soon after the crime and before a suspect can get very far, Nichols said.

“If they’re going to make a deposit, they could call dispatch, and a dispatcher will send a car” to escort them to the bank, Nichols said.

Managers might have to wait if all officers are responding to calls, but the chief said an officer would come when he or she is available. The dispatch number for Boardman police is 330-726-4144.

The suspect in the Rulli Bros. incident is described as a white man, about 200 pounds and 6 feet 1 inch tall and who was wearing a ski mask during the incident, police said. Anyone with information about that is asked to call Boardman police.