Man accused of 2 robberies, suspected in at least 4 more

10/5/2004

A Toledo man was charged in connection with two robberies after police were led to him through a piece of paper left behind in a South Toledo bank holdup.

Verdell Starks, 42, of 1129 Indiana Ave., was charged with two counts of aggravated robbery and is suspected in at least four other holdups, including the bank, between Sept. 25 and 30.

Authorities said the suspect was arrested without incident about 8 a.m. yesterday at his home. He is being held in the Lucas County jail pending arraignment today in Toledo Municipal Court.

He is accused of robbing the BP gas station, 1270 South Reynolds Rd., on Sept. 25 and the Sunoco station, 4458 Monroe St., the next day.

The suspect had a handgun in the crimes and in three similar holdups, two of which occurred at BP stations in West and South Toledo and the third at a West Toledo tanning salon.

The arrest came after police began investigating a heist Sept. 30 at the Sky Bank branch on Heatherdowns Boulevard in South Toledo, Lt. Bill Moton said.

Lieutenant Moton said the robber matched the description of the suspect in the other five crimes. Authorities found a piece of paper with a name on it at the bank robbery and began gathering information, he said.

Police found an address and began surveillance on Mr. Starks, who has not been charged in the bank holdup or the other three robberies.