akronDriver fights backAKRON: A pizza delivery driver fought off a would-be robber Tuesday night in Akron.The 51-year-old driver for Papa John’s Pizza at 1885 W. Market St. argued with and then kicked the robber, who was armed with a gun and demanded money during a delivery about 8:30 p.m. on Hamlin Street, Akron police said.The robber fled with no money while the driver returned to the restaurant and called police.No suspect has been identified.Cabbie assaultedAKRON: A robber struck a cab driver with a brick Tuesday night and drove away in the taxi.A suspect was arrested when he unwittingly approached an undercover Akron police detective outside a gas station.Gary P. Brainard Jr., 42, was being held in the Summit County Jail on charges of aggravated robbery, tampering with evidence, theft and misuse of a credit card. He told police he is homeless.According to officers, a man attacked a 37-year-old City Yellow cab driver after a ride from West Market Street to Howe Street that ended about 11:30 p.m. Police said he then drove away in the cab, keeping the driver’s cell phone and wallet. The driver was treated for minor injuries, police said.About three hours later, police found the cab, with three flattened tires, at West South and West Bowery streets. Police recovered a GPS, the driver’s wallet and a $20 bill from inside the taxi.Detective Robert Richardson was helping investigate the robbery and stopped at a gas station in the 600 block of East Market Street. Brainard is accused of walking up to Richardson as sat in his unmarked police car and offering the plainclothes detective $40 in gas that he would put on a credit card in exchange for $10 in cash.Richardson recognized Brainard as a suspect and arrested him. The credit card belonged to the cabdriver, police said. Diner takes cashAKRON: A man finished his meal, then demanded and received $40 during a robbery Tuesday night at Parasson’s restaurant in Akron’s North Hill neighborhood, police said.The robbery happened about 6:30 p.m. in the North Main Street restaurant when the man, after eating soup and drinking several beers, walked to the register with his bill. Instead of paying, police said, he held his hand in his pocket as though armed with a gun and demanded $40.A clerk handed the money to the robber, who fled.The robber was white and in his early 40s. He had spiked hair, stood about 6 feet tall and weighed about 190 pounds. He wore khaki pants, a blue shirt and a light blue jacket.Anyone with information is asked to call Akron police at 330-375-2490. Anonymous tips may be left online at http://
akronohio.gov/asp/tip.html.Unlucky robberAKRON: A gunman walked out empty-handed after two Akron muffler shop workers told him they had no money, police said.The robbery was attempted about 10 a.m. Tuesday at Lifetime Custom Exhaust, 888 E. Exchange St., when the man entered the office and demanded money.A worker said she had none, and the gunman went to the garage, where he approached a worker and demanded money. When that man said he had none, the hapless robber fled.Police say the gunman was black and in his late teens or early 20s. He wore a black hooded sweatshirt, black mask and blue bandana.CAMPAIGN TRAILJudicial fundraiserAKRON: Candace Kim Knox, an Akron Municipal Court judicial candidate, will have a fundraiser from 4:30 to 8 p.m. today at Lux Nightclub, 1 W. Exchange St.Knox is challenging Judge Annalisa Williams in the Nov. 8 election.The suggested donations are $50 per person and $75 per couple.fairlawnTentative pactFAIRLAWN: The city has reached a tentative agreement with two of its labor unions, the International Association of Firefighters Local 4164, made up of firefighters and paramedics, and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 436, made up of service department workers. The contracts are two-year extensions with a wage reopener clause. “I think the contract is fair to both parties given the economic realities of today,” said Mayor Bill Roth. “It will give certainty for both sides; planning the future for the city and employees will not be left dangling.” Union members will vote before council meets again on Nov. 7, when council is expected to approve the deal.The new contract would take effect on Jan. 1.summit countyWarning issuedAKRON: The Akron Area Board of Realtors is cautioning female real-estate agents about a possible sexual predator.On its website, the board described a man who was charged with an attempted abduction and gross sexual imposition in January 2010.He served one year in jail and was released in July, according to the warning.The board urged women to be wary of setting up appointments with a man who insists on meeting after dark, indicating he cannot meet any earlier than 7:00 p.m. He is described as a 54-year-old white man who is 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighs 200 pounds. He is balding, has reddish-brown hair and has used the name Wayne Martin.The board told agents to ask for and verify the identity of anyone who wishes to see properties. They should also be cautious when holding open houses because the man has a tendency to show up at the end hoping to find the real-estate agent alone.The site urges anyone with information regarding this matter to call Detective Michael Shaffer of the Akron Police Department at 330-375-2463.WOOSTERTeen dies in crashWOOSTER: A 17-year-old Seville resident was killed in a one-car accident Wednesday morning.The State Highway Patrol in Wooster is investigating the 6:29 a.m. crash on Apple Creek Road, just south of state Route 585 in Green Township.Kelli Baker was driving a 2000 Saturn south on Apple Creek when she traveled off the right side of the road and overcorrected, striking a tree, the patrol reported.Baker was wearing a seat belt.