Man avoids being shot, woman assaulted in Akron robberies, police say

A shot was fired at a man as he tried to get away from three robbers in Merriman Valley, and a woman was punched in the head in a robbery in the Ellet neighborhood during the weekend, according to police.

Police say the 48-year-old male victim was walking his two French bulldogs on the 800 block of Rocky Brook Drive at about 9:30 p.m. Friday when he was approached by three males armed with guns. One of the males told the man to let his dogs go as another suspect pointed a rifle in the victim’s face, police say.

The suspect tried to walk away from the robbers back to his residence. One of the suspects reportedly grabbed a dog and shot was fired at the victim, who was not hit. The suspects then ran to a nearby vehicle and drove off, police say.

The bullet fired at the victim shattered a window of a nearby apartment, police say. No one in the apartment was wounded. Police did not say if the dogs were injured.

The robbery in the Ellet neighborhood occurred Saturday afternoon after a 39-year-old woman withdrew money from an ATM on the 2400 block of Wedgewood Avenue. Police say that after the woman took her money, she drove to the southeast end of the parking lot and got out to rearrange items in the back seat of the car.

As she was outside the car, a male punched her in the head, then reached into the car through an open window and grabbed the money. The suspect, who was either bald or had a shaved head, ran from the area. He was wearing a gray shirt and blue-jean shorts.

No arrests have been made in the robberies.

Anyone with information can call detectives at 330-375-2490 or Summit County Crimestoppers at 330-434-COPS. Individuals also can send tips by texting TIPSCO to 274637. People offering tips can remain anonymous.