In two separate cases, two men were robbed at gunpoint on the same street in southwest Akron after agreeing to meet up with women they met on an online dating website.
According to police, on Jan. 19, a 22-year-old went to the 800 block of Sheridan Avenue to meet a woman he met on the online dating site. When he arrived, four suspects walked from behind a house and approached him, pulling out a handgun and demanding his money. They got away with about $60 cash.
Two people were arrested for aggravated robbery that day: Christian A. Ruffin, 22, of Akron, and a 17-year-old boy, also of Akron.
According to the Summit County Jail, Ruffin was arraigned in court and faced charges of probation violation and aggravated robbery. He was given a $100,000 bond. He is expected to appear in court again on Feb. 5.
Akron police said a very similar incident occurred around 5 a.m. Saturday, when 20-year-old Alex Conner reported that he drove to the 800 block of Sheridan Avenue to meet a woman he met on the site meetme.com to watch Netflix.
As Conner got out of his car, a man walked from behind a house, pointed a gun and told Conner to put his hands up and empty his pockets.
"He had a hood over his face," Conner said.
Conner told police he gave the suspect his e-cigarette and his wallet, which included his license and debit card. The suspect took Conner's property and ran northbound.
"Just be careful, that's all I can say," Conner said.
The suspect was described to police as a dark complexioned man, 28-32 years old, 5 feet 8 inches tall, 150-170 lbs., and was wearing a light blue hooded sweatshirt pulled over his head.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Akron Police Department.
