Police probe series of robberies
Staff report
YOUNGSTOWN
Police believe several robberies at stores within the last week are connected.
Detective Sgt. Mike Lambert said the robberies, three in Youngstown since Oct. 17 and in Campbell on Sept. 15, all have been committed by the same person.
The latest robbery was of a 2224 Market St. Family Dollar store about 8:20 p.m. Wednesday. Witnesses told police a tall man wearing jeans, black boots and black gloves with a ski mask over his face came in holding a gun and demanded money from the safe.
Employees told the robber they did not have access to the safe, but they did have access to the register. One of the employees opened the register, and the man took the money and walked away toward St. Louis Avenue, reports said.
Police also investigated a robbery at the Dollar General at 2223 Market St. about 8:45 p.m. Sunday. In that robbery, witnesses told police a tall man came in with the lower part of his face covered, holding a gun and demanding money from the register. He got about $250 and ran away, reports said.
On Oct. 17, the Dollar General at 2981 McGuffey Road on the East Side was robbed by a man with his face covered and holding a handgun. He demanded money from the safe and when he was told by the employee he could not access the safe, the robber took $200 in cash and left.
The Campbell robbery was about 8:40 p.m. Sept. 15 at a Family Dollar store at 349 Robinson Road. In that robbery, a man with his face covered and holding a gun demanded money from the register and once he got it, he ran off, reports said.
Lambert said anyone with information can call him at 330-742-8249.