Prosecutor wants to have teen tried as adult in robbery

Youth allegedly used gun to steal over $450 from Fairfield store.

BUTLER COUNTY — Prosecutors will request that a teen charged last week for allegedly robbing a GameStop in Fairfield be tried as an adult.

The teen, who turned 18 on Thursday, was arrested March 5 after his mother turned him in for allegedly robbing the store that morning.

The Fairfield High School student was recognized by his mother and others after they saw the surveillance photo released by Fairfield police, according to police. He is charged with aggravated robbery.

According to police, while the clerk was turned away from the counter, the teenager pulled a handgun from his pants, went behind the clerk and grabbed her around the neck while placing the handgun to her head.

The teen allegedly stole approximately $450 from two cash registers, had $59.99 loaded onto a PlayStation+ card and $74.99 onto a PS4 NBA 2K20 card for in-game purchases. He also took the store’s cordless phone valued at $50.

The teen was arraigned by Butler County Juvenile Court Judge Ronald Craft last week. Craft ordered him to remain in the county juvenile detention center until his pre-trial hearing on March 16.

Butler County Prosecutor

Michael Gmoser said because of the teen’s age and the severity of the crime, the case is a mandatory bind over to adult court if the judge finds probable cause. Gmoser said they would be filing a motion to have the case sent to adult court.

The Butler County Sheriff’s Office dispatched a K-9 officer to assist Fairfield police in locating the suspect.

Surveillance footage from Planet Fitness, which is behind GameStop, showed the teen heading toward Jungle Jim’s.

Police asked Jungle Jim’s loss prevention staff to review their video surveillance.

The teen’s dark-colored hoodie was found discarded in a Jungle Jim’s restroom and the phone discarded in a toilet.