A Warren man is in the Mahoning County jail, accused of punching an employee at Home Depot in Austintown while trying to steal more than $400 of merchandise on Monday. Nicholas J. Lee, 38, 3004 Lancer Court, Warren is being held on a charge of robbery, according to jail records.
Home Depot loss prevention told police Lee tried to walk out of the store with more than $400 of wiring. When an employee asked Lee for a receipt, Lee punched him in the forehead and left, according to a police report.
The incident was caught on camera and police posted photo stills on the Austintown police Facebook page. Later that night, a concerned citizen contracted the department and identified Lee.
Police arrested Lee at his residence without incident. When informed he was being charged with robbery, Lee said to police: “How is it a robbery, it should only be assault and theft,” according to the report… Tribune Chronicle