Willowick teen admits to two armed robberies in city, police chief says

Security camera footage of the suspect in a Nov. 29 armed robbery at Tobacco Express in Willowick. The robbery is one of two a 16-year-old Willowick boy admitted he committed, according to police.
Security camera footage of the suspect in a Nov. 29 armed robbery at Tobacco Express in Willowick. The robbery is one of two a 16-year-old Willowick boy admitted he committed, according to police. Courtesy of the Willowick Police Department

A 16-year-old Willowick resident has admitted to two armed robberies in the city, Willowick Police Chief Brian Turner said.

On Jan. 10, the juvenile admitted to Willowick detectives he committed the Nov. 29 robbery at Tobacco Express and the New Year’s Day robbery at Subway.

Security footage shows the suspect hitting an employee with a gun during the Jan. 1 robbery of the 30348 Lake Shore Blvd. sandwich shop. The juvenile also admitted to firing two gunshots inside the store during the incident, Turner said.

No one was hit by the bullets, but the employee was taken to the hospital for superficial injuries after being hit with the gun.

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The juvenile is in custody at the Lake County Juvenile Center and charges have not yet been filed. Turner said they are hoping to have him tried as an adult.

Willowick has seen a rash of robberies starting with the Nov. 29 incident at Tobacco Express.

Three Cleveland juveniles have been arrested in connection with a Dec. 16 robbery at Rite Aid. The suspects are also believed to have robbed a Circle K in Willoughby the same day.

The same Subway was also robbed Dec. 24. Turner said there is a warrant out for a suspect’s arrest and he is expected to be taken into custody soon.

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