ELYRIA — Two men have been arrested following a pair of armed robberies that occurred earlier this month at a downtown McDonald’s and a True North gas station, according to the Elyria Police Department.
Police said the first incident took place on October 7, 2025, around 3:15 p.m. behind the McDonald’s at 595 Broad Street. A victim reported being lured behind the restaurant and robbed at gunpoint. Detectives later identified the suspects as Jeremiah Cook and Antonio Cook, both described as wearing black clothing. Investigators said Jeremiah allegedly led the victim to the area where Antonio was waiting, and Antonio brandished a handgun before robbing the victim of his money.
A second armed robbery occurred the following morning, October 8, 2025, around 3 a.m. at the True North Gas Station, 905 Lorain Boulevard. Officers were told that a man dressed in all black with a ski mask entered the store, pointed a handgun at employees, and demanded money from the registers before fleeing on foot.
Detectives investigating both cases determined the crimes were connected and identified Jeremiah Cook as a potential suspect. When police went to his East Avenue residence, they encountered his grandmother, who told them Jeremiah was not home but that her other grandson, Antonio, was inside. Detectives asked Antonio to come out, and upon doing so, immediately recognized him as the primary suspect in both robberies.
Antonio later spoke with detectives and confessed to both incidents, police said. A search warrant executed at his residence led to the recovery of the handgun used in the robberies, the clothing worn during the crimes, and cash believed to be stolen. On October 15, 2025, Lorain Police conducted a felony traffic stop on a vehicle associated with Jeremiah Cook. He was taken into custody and turned over to Elyria Police detectives. During questioning, Jeremiah admitted involvement in the McDonald’s robbery but denied participation in the gas station robbery.
Following the investigation, Antonio Z. Cook, 20, was charged with two counts of Aggravated Robbery (ORC 2911.01, F-1), while Jeremiah J. Cook, 21, was charged with Complicity to Aggravated Robbery (ORC 2923.03, F-1).
Elyria Police Chief James P. Welsh praised detectives for their swift work, stating, “Their hard work not only brought justice to the victims involved, but it also sent a clear message that violent crime will not be tolerated in the City of Elyria.”
Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Detective Steven Robinson at (440) 326-1212 or srobinson@cityofelyria.org.