Man accused of three bank robberies

A 22-year-old Cleveland man implicated in three separate, armed bank robberies last January and February was indicted in federal court in Cleveland, according to a June 6 news release from Northern Ohio District U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Aaron Nickerson faces three counts of armed bank robbery and two counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence.

The release states that Nickerson is accused of involvement, along with others, in a Jan. 18 robbery at a U.S. Bank branch on Richmond Road in Warrensville Heights, a Feb. 6 heist at Ohio Savings Bank on Richmond Road in Richmond Heights and a third bank robbery on Feb. 20 on Forest Hills Boulevard in East Cleveland.

“This defendant put countless lives at risk when he and his associates used firearms to rob banks,” U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said.

“We continue to work with our law enforcement partners to prioritize violent crime and prosecute those who harm our community.”

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Warrensville Heights, Euclid, Richmond Heights and East Cleveland police departments, along with the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office Crime Strategies Unit. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Zarzycki.

“If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after reviewing factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation,” the federal news release reads. “In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.”

Woman faces charges in Mentor

A 49-year-old Cleveland resident arraigned on a pair of charges stemming from her arrest in Mentor April 28 is awaiting a June 7 pretrial/preliminary hearing, court records show.

Mary E. Hendricks, whose address appears in her court file as 1355 Addison Road, Apt. 4, is charged with third-degree felony tampering with evidence and first-degree misdemeanor petty theft.

If convicted of the felony alone, Hendricks could get up to three years behind bars.

Her bond was set at $30,000/10 percent cash or surety and her pretrial/ preliminary hearing is scheduled at 8 a.m. June 7, according to court paperwork.

Man faces child enticement charge

A 48-year-old Mentor resident faces charges in court there and is being held without bond pending the outcome of his June 7 preliminary hearing related to a child-enticement charge, court records confirm.

His arraignment documents state Paul R. Leacy, a resident of 7559 Mentor Ave., Apt. 102, was arrested June 1 in connection with an alleged continuing course of action between May 18 to May 31. He’s charged with fifth-degree felony criminal child enticement.

If convicted, Leacy faces up to 12 months’ confinement.

According to legal paperwork, he’s scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing at 8 a.m. June 7 in Mentor Municipal Court.