Ohio Men Robbed Multiple Computer Stores, Threatened Employees

CLEVELAND — Two Cleveland men have been sentenced to federal prison for robbing multiple MetroPCS stores in Northeast Ohio, the Department of Justice announced. Shawn Ford and Charles Rogers were each sentenced to more than 33 years in prison this week.

“When you point guns at the heads of robbery victims and threaten them with imminent violence, not just once, not just twice, but three and four times, then you can expect to go to jail for a long time,” said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman. “These two men will each spend more than three decades in federal prison. Let this sentence send the message to those who would seek to prey upon our neighbors – we will find you, we will prosecute you, and you will be in prison for many years.”

Ford, 20, and Rogers, 24, are both from Cleveland. They were found guilty of using guns to rob three MetroPCS stores in March 2018, and attempting to rob a fourth store. All of the robberies took place within a one-week span, according to evidence presented at their trial.

On March 21, 2018, Ford and Rogers walked into the MetroPCS at 10959 Kinsman Road. Both men had pistols. They threatened a handicapped person in the store because they could not easily lay on the ground.

One of the men then placed their pistol on the head of the store manager and said he needed to give them the store's cash faster, prosecutors said.

Four days later, on March 25, Ford and Rogers walked into the MetroPCS at 11100 Lorain. This time, only one of the men had a pistol. The store was busy, with five customers and two employees inside.

Ford and Rogers demanded money and threatened to kill an employee if they didn't move faster.

Finally, on March 27, Ford and Rogers, wearing all black clothing and hoodies that covered their faces, tried to rob the MetroPCS at 14701 Kinsman Road. The only employee at the store managed to pull the door closed when he saw the duo coming towards him. Unable to get inside, Ford and Rogers went to the MetroPCS at 5833 Broadway Avenue.

During the robbery, an employee was kicked in the stomach for not moving quickly. An off-duty Cleveland police officer happened to be in the store and tried to stop the robbery. Ford fired nine shots at the officer, but the officer was not hurt.

Ford and Rogers were then taken into custody.

“There is no place in our community for those who use firearms for violent, criminal purposes,” said Jonathan McPherson, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Columbus Field Division. “ATF will continue to work with our law enforcement partners at the local, state, and federal levels to bring those individuals to justice.”