Ruling awaited in death of suspect

6/21/2007

A Lucas County deputy coroner said yesterday she has no official ruling yet on the death Tuesday of a Toledo man who was pulled off a woman whose beer he was trying to steal during a robbery in the north end.

Howard Ross, 59, of 1465 Milburn Ave., died in St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center.

Dr. Diane Barnett, the deputy coroner, said she is awaiting his medical records before ruling on his death.

Dr. Barnett performed an autopsy yesterday.

Mr. Ross had been in nursing homes and hospitals since the incident Oct. 10 outside the Huron Market, 528 Magnolia St. Police said he tried to rob Tammy Hall, 33, as she walked out of the carryout with beer she had just bought.

Ms. Hall told police Mr. Ross grabbed her, pushed her up against a wall, and took her beer. Jeff Clark, a 21-year-old construction worker who was nearby, came to her aid and got Mr. Ross off her in what police said appeared to be a good samaritan act.

No charges have been filed. The case remains under investigation.