CLEVELAND — Two Elyria men are in custody on multiple felony charges for allegedly holding a family, including a 3-year-old child, at gunpoint in a burglary attempt on Tuesday, according to police.
The Elyria Police Department said in a press release that Ramal S. Ritton, 21, and Johnny J. Rice, 20, are accused of breaking into an apartment on Rosewood Drive at about 5:30 p.m.
Police were alerted to the alleged burglary by a man who lives in the apartment, who called 911 and said he saw two armed suspects inside his home through an indoor security camera. The man's live-in girlfriend and their 3-year-old child were inside the apartment at the time, police said.
The security camera, which was streaming live, showed Siton and Rice "brandishing firearms at the occupants and physically assaulting the adult female victim," the police department said.
According to police, officers set up a perimeter around the apartment and received information "indicating an immediate threat to the female victim prompting an emergency entry into the apartment."
Police broke down the apartment door and secured the victims while apprehending Sitton and Rice. Officers recovered a .223-caliber rifle and a 9 mm handgun at the scene, along with other evidence.
An initial police investigation indicates Sitton and Rice broke into the apartment intending to steal cash and "other property." Both suspects are being held without bond at the Lorain County Jail on the following charges:
- Aggravated burglary
- Kidnapping
- Felonious Assault
- Having weapons under disability
- Disrupting public services
