Cops catch Toledo armed robbery suspects

A forty-two year old Toledo business woman is recovering from serious head injuries after she was attacked and robbed by three men. The assault occurred around one on Friday afternoon at Johnson’s store in Big Falls Village. Amelia Johnson reported to police that she was alone in her shop when a white vehicle carrying four men pulled up outside. According to Johnson, three of the occupants quickly ran into the building armed with knives and machetes. Johnson was beaten by the intruders who then proceeded to ransack the store. They made off with an undisclosed amount of cash along with two shotguns that belong to Johnson’s husband. The injured victim was able to call the Punta Gorda police who responded by alerting their counterparts in Independence Village. The Independence police then set up a check point on the Southern Highway near Bladen Village. The tactic proved successful as it was not long before the cops saw a vehicle that matched the description of the getaway car headed for the road block. Upon seeing the police, the vehicle ran off the road and three men jumped out, fleeing into the bush. When police approached the car they captured the fourth suspect, identified as Clifford Matute, who had remained inside the vehicle. The police began to look for the fleeing suspects and managed to find two. According to their report, the men refused to surrender and police fired on them wounding one in the leg and the other in the abdomen. The injured suspects, identified as Owen Parham and Ryan Genus, were transported to Southern Regional Hospital where they remain under police guard. From the scene police recovered the two stolen weapons and a bag containing eighteen thousand dollars that has since been identified as proceeds from Johnson’s Store. Police are now looking for the remaining suspect who managed to get away. Meanwhile Johnson is recovering from her injuries, also at Southern Regional. Authorities say they have launched the mandatory internal investigation to determine if the officers were justified in firing their weapons but the police stress that the suspects at the time of the incident were armed. Meanwhile the police commissioner has commended the bravery and efficient response of the Punta Gorda and Independence based officers that led to the apprehension of the three suspects.