Youngstown Man Faces Life in Prison for His Role in More Than 40 Robberies

Isiah Taylor III, 43, of Youngstown, Ohio, faces up to life in prison following his convictions on Hobbs Act conspiracy and brandishing a firearm during a crime for his role in more than 40 robberies in Ohio and Pennsylvania between 2001 and 2009, said Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

“This defendant had a long run spreading mayhem throughout our region, but he was finally brought to justice,” Dettelbach said.

Taylor was convicted on four counts of Hobbs Act conspiracy and one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime following a jury trial before U.S. District Judge James Gwin. He is scheduled to be sentenced on April 10.

Taylor conducted detailed surveillance of businesses and locations to be robbed. He then recruited co-conspirators and provided them tools for the robbery, including ski masks, two-way radios and firearms, among other items. He also monitored police scanners during the robberies, according to court documents and trial testimony.

Taylor also facilitated the robberies by stealing cars to be used in the crime, setting up traffic cones to divert traffic and instructed co-conspirators how to use chemical spray to subdue victims, according to court documents and trial testimony.

Among the some of the robberies:

• Sept. 24, 2007, $600 from Linens and Things, 385 Howe Avenue, Akron, Ohio.
• Oct. 20, 2007, $2,119 from Sbarro Pizza, 7401 Market Street, Boardman, Ohio.
• Nov. 10, 2007, attempted to take money from Tractor Supply Company, 3800 Elm Road NE, Warren, Ohio.
• Nov. 10, 2007, $5,500 from Wing House at 1300 East Tallmadge Avenue, Akron, Ohio.
• Nov. 10, 2007, attempted to take money from Berean Christian Store, 1100 30th Street NW, Canton, Ohio.
• Nov. 12, 2007, $2,325 from Dollar Tree, 1950 East State Street, Hermitage, Pa.
• Nov. 23, 2007, $11,000 from Tractor Supply Company, Hermitage, Pa.
• Nov. 29, 2007, attempted to take money from Tractor Supply Company in Alliance, Ohio
• Nov. 29, 2007, $304 from Goodyear Auto Center, 1800 Buchholzer Blvd., Akron.
• Jan. 11, 2008, $60 from Tropic Glow Tanning, 1598 Massillon Road, Akron
• Jan. 14, 2008, $508 from the Dollar Tree at 1150 Doral Drive in Boardman, Ohio.
• Jan. 18, 2008, $849 from Famous Hair at 1698 S. Raccoon Road, Youngstown.
• Jan. 23, 2008, $417 from Petland, 7338 Market Street, Boardman, Ohio
• March 1, 2008, $979, Mama Rosa’s Pizza, 1730 Goodyear Boulevard, Akron.
• March 18, 2008, $52, Puzzle Mania, 5555 Youngstown Warren Road, Niles, Ohio.
• March 31, 2008, $334, Goodwill, 460 Youngstown Poland Road, Struthers, Ohio.
• April 12, 2008, $340, Outreach Thrift Center, 3317 Mahoning Avenue, Youngstown.
• April 22, 2008, $6,300, Midas Muffler, 2800 Belmont, Liberty, Ohio.
• April 24, 2008, $154, Catherine’s, 1260 Boardman Poland Road, Boardman, Ohio
• May 10, 2008, took money from Pizza Hut at 8535 South Avenue, Poland, Ohio, while using a firearm.
• May 13, 2008, $1,809, Dollar Stuff at 2467 East State Street, Hermitage, Pa.
• Oct. 18, 2008, $632, Vitamin World, 5555 Youngstown Warren Road, Niles, Ohio.
• Dec. 26, 2008, $3,255, Bellerina Pizza, 1010 Youngstown Poland Road, Struthers, Ohio.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Daniel J. Riedl and Christos N. Georgalis following an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boardman Police Department, and Youngstown Police Department.