Pair jailed after holdup of store in East Toledo

8/30/2004

A man and woman remained in the Lucas County jail yesterday after two convenience store customers helped lead police to them after an East Toledo robbery late Saturday.

Police booked Lonnie Charles Brown, 24, of 1603 North Michigan St., about 11 p.m. Police also arrested Suzette Ramirez, 21, of 1819 North Michigan, who was driving the car that police said Mr. Brown tried to escape in.

Authorities said a man walked into the Sunoco store at 1540 Front St. about 10:10 p.m., pointed a gun at cashiers, and demanded money and cigarettes. Walter and Crystal Dowiak told officers they had just driven up when they saw a man running out of the store.

The witnesses said they saw him jump into a vehicle that drove off. They followed it onto I-280 and contacted police. The witnesses said they saw a gun being tossed out of the window before the vehicle got off I-280.

They said a suspect later got out of the vehicle on North Michigan Street. The witnesses led police to the alleged getaway vehicle and the driver.