Credit: Photo provided by Ohio Dept. of Rehabilitation and Correction
Update by City of Vermilion Police Department:
The VPD responded to the report of an armed robbery at Pizza Hut located at 4272 Liberty Ave. on Friday 02/28/25 at approximately 7:55 PM. VPD Officers immediately responded to the scene and began an investigation. It was determined that the male suspect had entered the building, displayed a firearm and demanded the cash register money from the employee working the counter. The employee complied and the suspect fled the building with $96. Officers began a canvas of the area and checked on a pedestrian as well as a parked vehicle in the general area, of which neither was involved in the crime. Officers then investigated the scene and obtained digital evidence from the area, which included some surveillance videos. That video depicted a suspect vehicle. The case was then forwarded to the VPD Detective Bureau for investigation.
Throughout the past week, Detectives have used multiple different investigative techniques to narrow down the search for the suspect. A suspect was developed and was then positively identified by an eyewitness to the robbery. A probable cause affidavit and warrant were presented to the Judge for review and a warrant was signed for the suspect’s arrest. That warrant and the vehicle information were then entered into the nationwide database.
We are pleased to announce that a traffic stop of the suspect vehicle was conducted by Knoxville PD in Tennessee yesterday, 03/07/25. The suspect, identified as Michael E. Cothern (age 37) from Toledo, OH, was a passenger in the vehicle and was taken into custody. Cothern was in possession of a firearm at the time of the arrest. Cothern was transported to jail and will await extradition back to Vermilion (Lorain County) for prosecution. Cothern is facing several charges in Knoxville as well. Cothern is charged in Vermilion with Aggravated Robbery (F1) with a firearm. Cothern also has an outstanding felony warrant through the Ohio Parole Authority for being a parole violator at large after being released from prison.
We would like to thank everyone who has been involved in this successful investigation. If anyone has any further information regarding this incident, please contact Det. Sgt. Holmes with the VPD at 440-204-2445 or sholmes@cityofvermilionohio.gov.
VERMILION, OHIO – A robbery occurred at the Pizza Hut on Liberty Avenue in Vermilion on the evening of February 28, 2025. According to dispatch records, a male suspect entered the restaurant at approximately 7:55 p.m., demanding money.
The suspect is described as a male in his mid-30s, approximately 5’6″ in height, with a scratch on his left eye. He was wearing a zip-up jacket and a hat at the time of the incident. The caller reported that the suspect left the scene on foot, heading in the direction of Drug Mart.
Police units responded quickly, with officers stopping a subject at Liberty Auto Wash and investigating a vehicle in the roadway at 453 Erie. However, despite initial reports suggesting an apprehension, Captain Graham confirmed this morning that the suspect remains at large.
As a result of the incident, Pizza Hut has announced that its lobby doors will now remain permanently locked, with all customer service shifting to the drive-thru window.
The Vermilion Police Department is actively investigating and working on a more detailed suspect description. Anyone with information about the robbery is urged to contact the department at 440-967-6116.
This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more details become available.
