Warrants issued for two in Backpage robbery scheme

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Warrants have been issued for two people who police say lured men to the West Side through the internet for sex.

U.S. Marshals are looking for Amanda Gerlach, 31, who faces two counts of aggravated robbery; and Sedric Johnson, 19, who faces a single count of aggravated robbery.

Warrants were issued Monday for the two in municipal court.

Gerlach is charged in two incidents on Sept. 19 on Lakeview Avenue and Sept. 24 on Osborn Avenue. Johnson is charged in the Osborn Avenue incident.

They join a man and woman arrested last month in an Aug. 28 robbery on North Osborn Avenue where the victim was lured to a home after arranging for a “sensual massage,” then was robbed at gunpoint.

Detective Sgt. Michael Lambert, who investigates robberies for the police department, said a couple more people likely are involved in the scheme, which he said stretches back to at least Aug. 11. Victims are being sent to a place where as they get out of their vehicle, they get a gun aimed at their face and before they are beaten and robbed.

Anyone who may have been a victim but has not yet reported can call the Detective Bureau at 330 742-8911. Anyone with information on the wherabouts of Gerlach and Johnson is asked to call 911.