Suspects in armed Willoughby credit union robbery arraigned

Two Cleveland men accused of trying to rob the Willoughby-Eastlake Schools Credit Union with an assault rifle were arraigned Dec. 19 in a Cleveland federal court.

Defendants Arvis Williams, 22, and Melvin Hill, 20, were placed in federal custody Nov. 13.

Magistrate Judge David A. Ruiz continued their detention at the Dec. 19 arraignments, and both men pleaded not guilty to two counts each of armed credit union robbery.

Williams is also charged with carjacking and taking a 2015 Chevrolet Cruze by force.

Shortly before 10 a.m., Oct. 11, an off-duty uniformed Willoughby police officer was working security at the Second Street bank.

The officer said two males wearing hoodies entered the front vestibule of the credit union with a loaded Smith & Wesson MP-15 assault rifle. The officer reportedly drew his duty-issued firearm and ordered the culprits to drop the assault rifle that had been aimed at him. The men turned and ran out the door, dropping the weapon in the vestibule on their way out, according to reports.

Williams and a 16-yearold juvenile were located minutes later in a Sharpe Avenue back yard.

Hill, the alleged getaway driver also was arrested after being seen driving a silver Ford Fusion that was registered to Williams, police said.

The juvenile suspect is not being charged federally.

After the duo fled the credit union, the detail officer reportedly chased them through a residential area of West Clark Avenue in Willoughby.

Patrol officers set up a perimeter around Sharpe Avenue.

Hill was apprehended after parking the Ford on Clark Avenue.

Hill is being represented by attorney Daniel Taylor. Williams was in court with attorney Edward Bryan.

A trial date had not yet been scheduled.