Russell Eugene St. Clair

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By RYAN SCOTT OTTNEY

PDT Staff Writer

NEW BOSTON — New Boston Police and the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office have arrested Russell Eugene St. Clair on Friday morning at a residence on U.S. 23.

According to police, the 911 dispatch received a call at 11:26 a.m. Thursday, reporting a robbery in progress at the Out To Play Skilled Game Store in the new Walmart Shopping Center. Upon arrival to the scene, the suspect had already left. Two employees of Out To Play gave a description of the suspect to police officers, and told them that he acted like he had a gun in his jacket.

No one was injured in the incident.

A witness outside of the store told officers the suspect had gotten into a Portsmouth Taxi Cab, and that the cab drove away. The New Boston Police Department contacted the cab company and learned that the suspect was picked up from Super Quik on Scioto Trail in Portsmouth, and dropped off on Auburn Avenue in Sciotoville. Officers searched that area but did not find the suspect.

Security camera footage taken at Super Quick captured the suspect’s face, and he was later identified as 32-year-old Russell Eugene St. Clair.

Police said St. Clair was recognized while staying at the Ameristay Inn and Suites in the Rosemount area, and New Boston police were notified Friday morning. The Scioto County Sheriff’s Office dispatched deputies to the area, and one deputy quickly spotted St. Clair walking along U.S. 23. He was later picked up without incident by Sheriff’s Deputies and officers from the New Boston Police Department at a residence on U.S. 23.

“We are very grateful for the assistance of the Scioto County Sheriff’s Department and also for the persons who had called into the police when the suspect was seen. This is where the police and citizens in this county can cooperate together,” said New Boston Police Capt. Steve Goins.

St. Clair was booked at the New Boston Police Department on robbery charges. Goins said St. Clair has cooperated with the investigation, and has confessed to the robbery. He was later taken to the Scioto County Jail awaiting his court appearance on Tuesday, Dec. 27.

Ryan Scott Ottney can be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 235, or rottney@heartlandpublications.com.