Akron man allegedly stole 2 vehicles in Dover, 2 in New Philadelphia, Thursday morning

NEW PHILADELPHIA — A 36-year-old Akron man is being held in the Tuscarawas County jail on a $25,000 bond after allegedly stealing two vehicles in Dover and two more in New Philadelphia on Thursday morning.

Ricky L. Moore, Jr. is charged with felonious assault, attempted abduction, robbery and four counts of motor vehicle theft.

Judge Nanette DeGarmo VonAllman informed the defendant about the charges and set bail on Friday in New Philadelphia Municipal Court.

Moore's alleged crime spree began around 8 a.m., after he became belligerent and left Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital in Dover, according to County Prosecutor Ryan Styer. He said the suspect was taken to the hospital by ambulance from Newcomerstown after threatening to jump in front of traffic.

The first call to New Philadelphia police came from a New Philadelphia man who was with a juvenile in a vehicle when Moore threatened him with a gun that he did not display. Styer said the suspect told them to get out of their vehicle and into a stolen truck he was driving. The adult male did not comply, but pulled a knife.

"The defendant at that point rammed his driver's side door with his truck, almost striking (him)," Styer said.

The victim told police the incident occurred on Miller Avenue NW in New Philadelphia while the perpetrator was driving a white Chevrolet Colorado, a truck that had been reported stolen in Dover.

Charges of robbery and one motor vehicle theft relate to a woman and her Mitsubishi Eclipse, which was taken from the 100 block of E. Iron Avenue, behind Domino's Pizza in Dover.

Styer said Moore went to the home of the car's owner, kicked out an air conditioner and demanded the keys to the Mitsubishi. He then saw the woman in her car and threatened to forcibly remove her if she did not get out of the car and let him have it, Styer said.

"She said that she was definitely in fear at the time and she is fearful of him now," Styer said. "She got out of the car, as well as another person who was in the passenger seat, and allowed him to take the car."

A Dover police report said the suspect then left the car and entered the Colorado at 88 E. Iron Ave., also behind Domino's. He drove away in the truck owned by an asphalt company, according to Dover police.

The third vehicle stolen was a 2021 GMC 2500 taken from the 400 block of Sixth Street NW in New Philadelphia, according to New Philadelphia police Capt. Ty Norris.

Norris said the suspect drove that vehicle to Rural King in New Philadelpha, parked it and walked to Walmart. Norris said he stole a 2008 GMC box truck from Walmart. It was the last vehicle he took for the day, according to Norris, who said Moore then drove north on Interstate 77.

Bolivar Police Chief Randy Haugh arrested the suspect in Stark County after spotting the vehicle on I-77.

Haugh had not chased the stolen truck, Norris said. But the chief followed the box truck to the Faircrest exit.

Haugh arrested Moore after the suspect stopped at the Pilot Travel Center, at 2320 Faircrest St. SW, Canton.

Styer said Moore was mentally unstable after being stopped and said he had made a mistake.

He was taken to the New Philadelphia Police Department for questioning. Styer said he declined to give a statement without having a lawyer present.

Styer asked the judge to set bail at $75,000.

"It's our position that not only is he a danger and a menace to the community but he also has no local ties," Styer said.

He said Moore's record shows charges of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence, driving under license suspension, drug abuse, and possession of drug abuse instruments, mostly from Summit and Portage counties. There were also charges from Ashland and Harrison counties.

VonAllman said $75,000 is more than the defendant can pay.

Public defender Brandy Thorne asked for a reasonable bond, and possibly release with a location montoring device.

Under questioning in court Friday, Moore said he was living with his parents after having lost his job and his apartment, for nonpayment of rent.

The judge outlined potential penalties for the charges. Felonious assault is punishable by two to eight years in prison and a $15,000 fine. Attempted abduction is punishable by six to 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine. Robbery is punishable by one to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Grand theft of a motor vehicle is punishable by six to 18 months and a $5,000 fine.

Moore is expected to have a preliminary hearing next week in municipal court.

The three stolen trucks had the keys inside, Norris said.

Reach Nancy at 330-364-8402 or nancy.molnar@timesreporter.com.

On Twitter: @nmolnarTR

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Akron man, 36, charged with stealing 4 vehicles Thursday