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Columbiana cop nabs suspected bank robber

COLUMBIANA — A city officer recently promoted to full time stopped a man who allegedly robbed a bank in Canfield Friday morning.

Police Chief Tim Gladis said that once Canfield police put out a description of the vehicle connected to the robbery, Patrol Officer Jen Calko saw a vehicle matching that description on state Route 164 in the city.

Calko was able to pull the vehicle over after watching it make a traffic violation, and Columbiana police contacted Canfield to come to the scene.

Once Canfield arrived, city police turned the driver and the two passengers inside the vehicle over to Canfield officers, Gladis said.

The driver, Jarett Drajic, 22, last known address 234 S. Roanoke Ave., Austintown, was charged with robbery by Canfield police, and the stolen money was recovered.

According to the paper’s news partner, WKBN 27 First News, Drajic allegedly robbed the Farmers National Bank plaza branch in Canfield around 11:45 a.m.

The bank told the TV station that no associates or customers were harmed during the incident.

WKBN also reported police said Drajic handed a note to the teller demanding cash, and although police were on the scene within two minutes, he was already gone.

Working off witness reports, police put out a description of the vehicle, which had reportedly been parked farther down the lot from the bank, WKBN said.

Canfield Police Chief Chuck Colucci told the station that the witnesses provided a “great description” which was put out to other law enforcement agencies within four minutes.

While Canfield police remained at the plaza to look through trash bins for anything the robber may have tossed and to talk to other businesses, Calko was in Columbiana on alert after hearing of the description.

Colucci credited the Columbiana officer in the WKBN report with being patient after stopping the vehicle. She was also joined at the scene by Gladis, who arrived to provide backup.

Colucci told WKBN the robbery was likely drug-related, based on what officers found inside the vehicle.

“This was excellent police work,” Gladis said Friday evening. “Canfield immediately broadcast a detailed description. Our dispatchers immediately put that out to our officers, and Jen was really on the ball to spot that car. Every now and then the good guys win one.”

He added that Drajic may face additional charges through Columbiana, but any potential charges have not been filed yet.

Drajic also had an active warrant out of Boardman for his arrest, Gladis added.

kwhite@mojonews.com

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