St. E’s locked down in search for robbery suspect

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital was placed on lockdown Thursday afternoon after the U.S. Marshals stationed in the Mahoning Valley asked Mercy Health and Youngstown Police departments to assist in locating Brian Ferrer, who was wanted in a recent armed robbery in Jackson Township near Canton. Ferrer was arrested in Canton shortly before 5 p.m.

St. Elizabeth was identified as Ferrer’s potential location, a hospital news release said.

The hospital was placed on lockdown to ensure the protection of patients, visitors, employees and physicians. Hospital police conducted a room-by-room search, the release said. All individuals in the hospital at the time were instructed to close and lock their doors and take shelter until they received an all-clear command. The facility was on lockdown from about 1:30 to 2:45 p.m.

Hospital police concentrated their efforts on the Park Avenue parking garage. They let cars out, but no cars were allowed in. “The safety and security of our patients, visitors, employees and physicians is our most critical priority,” hospital spokeswoman Carrie Kandes said.