The Akron man who was arrested for an armed robbery incident in Hudson in August and taking police on a high speed chase through Stow and Cuyahoga Falls, was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

An Akron man, Gerome Burns, 34, robbed an adult male at gunpoint outside a home in Hudson, stealing the victim’s wallet, Rolex watch and gold wedding band this summer, said police. Burns then told the victim to walk behind the house. Fearing he would be killed, the victim refused and instead walked toward the front yard, according to the prosecutor's office.

After refusing to walk behind the house, the victim said he saw Burns drive away and then he went to the Hudson Police Department to report the crime.

“I commend the victim for immediately notifying police and providing them with enough detail that they were able to apprehend the defendant,” said Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh. “This victim was not only brave in testifying against the person he feared had intended to kill him, but the testimony he provided was excellent and clearly had a positive impact on the outcome of this case.” 

Hudson officers said they tried to pull Burns' Cadillac over, but he sped away, beginning a chase on S.R. 8 and I-77 and through residential parts of Hudson, Stow, Silver Lake, Cuyahoga Falls and Akron.

Akron police stopped Burns in the Summit Lake area. Burns was found with the victim’s wallet, watch and wedding band, said police.

Judge Paul Gallagher found Burns, of Richmond Street in Akron, guilty of Aggravated Robbery, a first-degree felony with a firearm specification; kidnapping, a first-degree felony with a firearm specification; failure to comply, a third-degree felony; and having weapons under disability, a third-degree felony.