Gas station robbery suspect drags man, jumps in water to flee before needing deputies' help

GREEN, Ohio - Summit County Sheriff's deputies say a man stole cartons of cigarettes from several gas stations in and around the Green area before fleeing and ultimately ending up in a canal where he needed authorities' help getting out of the water.

The robberies happened the morning of Jan. 19, when deputies with the Summit County Sheriff's Office said Ahmad Salti, 52, of Rocky River, first had stolen cigarettes from the Sheetz on West Waterloo in Coventry and then from the Circle K on Massillon Road in Green.

Deputies said Salti then went to the BP on South Arlington Road and took more cartons of cigarettes.

As the alleged robber tried leaving the BP, a civilian reached into his driver's side window to stop him, grabbed the steering wheel and was dragged a short distance as the suspect fled north on Arlington Road, deputies said.

Shortly after the robberies, deputies found Salti on East Exchange Street in Akron. When they tried pulling him over, they said Salti got out of his car and fled on foot towards the canal off of River Street.

Deputies followed Salti, who jumped into the canal behind Goodyear and began yelling for the deputies to help him.

After deputies helped Salti out of the canal, they arrested him.

Salti has been charged with robbery. Authorities said he had existing arrest warrants for fraud and driving under suspension.