Willowick resident accused of pair of armed robberies

A Willowick teen accused of a pair of armed robberies in the city is competent to stand trial.

Michael A. Petro’s trial remains scheduled for Oct. 30.

Petro is facing eight charges stemming from the New Year’s Day robbery at the Subway, 30348 Lake Shore Blvd.; and a Nov. 29, 2017, robbery at the Tobacco Express, 30740 Lakeshore Blvd.

Petro, who was 16 when he allegedly committed the robberies, was arrested by Willowick police in mid-January. Police Chief Brian Turner previously told The News-Herald that Petro admitted committing the robberies to detectives. Turner said the juvenile also admitted to firing two gunshots in the Subway robbery.

No one was hit by the bullets in that robbery, but a store employee was taken to the hospital after being hit by the gun itself. Police said no one was injured in the Tobacco Express robbery.

Petro’s attorney filed a motion in September to have a competency evaluation for the teen. Attorneys met in Judge Richard L. Collins chambers Oct. 10.

The case was bound over to the adult court in February. Lake County Juvenile Court Judge

Karen Lawson found that Petro was not amenable to care or rehabilitation in the juvenile system.

Petro faces two first-degree felony counts of aggravated robbery with firearm and forfeiture specifications. He faces a first-degree felony kidnapping with a firearm and forfeiture specifications and a second-degree and another first-degree felony kidnapping charge with a forfeiture specification.

He also faces two second-degree felony felonious assault charges. Both have firearm and forfeiture specifications. Petro is also charged with second-degree and third-degree robbery, both of which have forfeiture specifications.