Suspects in West Toledo robberies appear in court

1/15/2009

Two men accused of a string of gas station and restaurant robberies, most of which occurred in West Toledo, appeared yesterday in Toledo Municipal Court.

Joseph Strawinski III, 23, of 255 Willow Creek St. Apt. 1 was charged with two counts of aggravated robbery, drug trafficking, possession of drugs, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was being held in the Lucas County jail in lieu of $200,000 bond.

William Burnside, 29, of 3318 Glenwood Ave. also was charged with two counts of aggravated robbery, possession of drug paraphernalia, and obstructing official business. He was being held in the county jail in lieu of $150,000 bond.

The pair were suspects in at least seven robberies between Jan. 9-12 and were stopped by police about 6:30 p.m. Tuesday near Upton and Berdan avenues.

They are accused of robbing the BP gas station, 3126 Secor Rd.; Barney s, 4306 West Sylvania Ave.; Long John Silver s, 1641 West Sylvania; Big Lots, 3946 West Alexis Rd.; Sunoco, 4810 Suder; Speedway, 4305 West Sylvania, and Happy Rose Buffet, 5335 Airport Hwy., police said.