An Akron man was sentenced Wednesday to 15 years in prison for armed robbery, kidnapping and fleeing from police during a chase after holding a man at gunpoint outside a home in Hudson last summer, authorities said.
Gerome J. Burns, 34, of Richmond Street in Akron, was convicted of the crimes and other offenses in a bench trial before Summit County Common Pleas Judge Paul Gallagher.
In the Aug. 17 armed robbery, prosecutors said Burns stole the man’s wallet, Rolex watch and gold wedding band, then ordered him to walk behind the home.
After the victim refused, staying in the front yard, Burns drove away. The victim notified police, giving officers a detailed description of Burns and the get-away car, prosecutors said.
Officers spotted Burns driving a gray late-model Cadillac, chased him through parts of Hudson, Stow, Silver Lake and Akron and finally caught him in the Summit Lake area.
Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh praised the victim for his cooperation with authorities and his courage for “testifying against the person he feared had intended to kill him.”
Court records show Summit County authorities filed 17 separate felony cases against Burns since 1995.
