CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Johnnie Harris, the man who was convicted for robbing nearly 20 businesses, was sentenced to 57 years in prison, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Timothy J. McGinty confirmed Monday.
Harris, 22, targeted convenience stores, bars, gas stations and pharmacies in an aggravated robbery spree that spanned from Lakewood on the west to Eastlake on the east, with 16 stops in Cleveland and one in Euclid along the way.
Harris committed these robberies between October 2013 and March 2014.
He became known as the "Red Shoe Robber" for the distinctive red sneakers he often wore during these crimes. Harris was armed during the robberies and fired his weapon in at least seven of the robberies.
On Feb. 9, Harris was found guilty on 94 counts related to these offenses. Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Dick Ambrose sentenced Harris.
"Johnnie Harris asked the judge to treat his sentencing like he was shopping at Costco, but Judge Ambrose refused to give the Defendant a bulk discount for his crimes," said Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Ryan Bokoch, who along with Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Edward Fadel represented the State of Ohio in this case.
"With this sentence, Judge Ambrose ensured that Johnnie Harris was held accountable for each of the 19 business he robbed."
