Warren police solve armed robbery with help from witnesses, search warrant

Staff report

WARREN

Two city men are in the Trumbull County jail after police say they robbed a woman of her purse at gunpoint on Porter Street Northeast Monday night.

Deltonio L. Dorsey, 35, of Scott Street Northeast, is charged with aggravated robbery and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Gabriel G. Lofton II, 29, of Union Street Southwest and Stephens Avenue Northwest is charged with complicity to aggravated robbery.

Not-guilty pleas were entered for both Tuesday in Warren Municipal Court, and bond was set at $150,000 each.

The victim said two men walked up to her while she was dropping off someone in her car on Porter at 10 p.m. One of the men held a gun to her cheek and took her purse, she said. They both ran off through the woods.

But a witness showed police the apartment at 300 Scott St. NE where the suspects went.

Police could hear movements inside but the occupants did not answer the door.

Police obtained a warrant to enter the apartment and found Lofton and Dorsey inside. They were taken into custody.

Also arrested was Johnny R. Mitchell, 58, of Scott Street Northeast. He is charged with obstructing justice because he was the resident of the apartment where Lofton and Dorsey were later found.

Inside the home, police seized a gun they think was used in the robbery, clothing that matched the description given by the victim and items stolen from the victim, including her wallet, money and cellphone.