Boardman man accused of crashing pickup truck into apartment, blaming woman
BOARDMAN, Ohio - A Boardman man has been charged with OVI and obstructing official business after police say he crashed a pickup truck into an apartment building and blamed another woman for it.
According to a police report from Boardman PD, officers were dispatched to the 100 Block of Shields Road on Saturday for a vehicle that had crashed into a building.
Upon arrival, police spoke to a male identified as Ryan Robenalt who allegedly told police that he picked up an unnamed woman on Market Street to "hang out with" for a few hours.
According to the report, Robenalt went on to tell officers the two decided to go to the convenience store after hanging out for awhile, but both had been drinking. Robenalt allegedly told police since he had his commercial drivers license, he would let the woman drive.
Police say Robenalt told officers as the woman was backing out of the parking spot, she "gunned it" and struck the building creating a large hole in the side of it.
He allegedly went on to say the woman took off eastbound on Shields Road to Market Street Northbound where she stopped in the middle of the road and fled on foot. Police say Robenalt then told officers he got into the driver's seat and pulled into the parking lot of a nearby convenience store.
According to police, Robenalt was unable to name the woman, but described her as a white female wearing a tan jacket, blue jeans and a black beanie. Police were unable to locate this woman.
Police looked at surveillance camera footage from the convenience store, which police say showed him pull into the parking lot, but did not show any sign of a woman being with him. Witnesses at the store also told police they saw Robenalt driving the truck.
According to the report, Robenalt was given an opportunity to change his story, but he stuck to his claims regarding the woman.
Officers conducted field sobriety tests and a breathalyzer test on Robenalt, who police say breathed a BAC of .180. He was placed under arrest for OVI.
According to court records, Robenalt is facing misdemeanor charges of OVI, failure to control and a felony charge of obstructing official business.
He is set to be arraigned on Tuesday March 26 at 9:30 a.m.
