HUBBARD TWP., Ohio - A man captured by Hubbard Police in the Trumbull County Jail is a suspect in violent crimes in two Mercer County communities.

Hubbard Police Chief Ronald Fusco tells 21 News that one of his officers in the Truck World parking lot spotted a Pontiac van wanted in connection with incidents that occurred early Friday in Hermitage and Hempfield Township.

The officer arrested 48-year-old Jason Riley of Sharon at gunpoint.

Mercer County District Attorney Peter Acker tells 21 News that Hempfield Township Police are investigating an incident that occurred around 4 a.m. in the parking lot of the Hempfield Township Walmart during which the suspect stabbed a victim 7 times with a screwdriver.  The injuries were not life-threatening. 

An hour later in Hermitage, Police were called to the Dollar Tree, 1950 East State St, for a reported robbery. 

The suspect was reportedly a white male approximately 40 years of age, heavy set, driving a silver older-style van. 

This van had followed the victim, a 37-year-old Sharon woman, from Speedway in Sharon.

The woman told police the man grabbed her from behind, held a screwdriver to her side and demanded money, and told her not to scream or he would stab her. 

The man grabbed the woman’s purse and fled in the van.

After reviewing the surveillance video, Detectives identified the vehicle as a Pontiac Montana Minivan. 

Sharon Police Department said that earlier that morning, someone reported van matching the description was involved in a case of unauthorized use.

The Pontiac was reportedly operated by Jason M. Riley, 48, of Sharon, who matched the description of the suspect

Riley has been charged with robbery and theft for the Hermitage incident.

As of Saturday, no charges had been filed for the assault in Hempfield Township.

Boardman Police also have a warrant out for the arrest of Riley for a theft in 2020.