CLEVELAND – Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley announced that a Cuyahoga County grand jury has returned an indictment charging Ja’Brian Howard, 18, along with two juvenile males, ages 15 and 17, for a crime spree in Cuyahoga County.

“This case demonstrates the amount of destruction we are seeing being caused by a small group of individuals. Thankfully, the Cleveland Division of Police was able to apprehend these individuals quickly.”

Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley

On November 1, 2023, around 7:40 p.m., the victim, 61, was with his 6-year-old son withdrawing money from an ATM located near St. Clair Avenue and East 152nd Street in Cleveland. Ja’Brian Howard along with the 15-year-old male, approached the victim from behind and fired several shots. They then pistol-whipped the victim across the face and demanded his money and his keys. The victim handed over $40 and fired his gun in self-defense striking Ja’Brian Howard in the stomach and the 15-year-old in the arm. They returned fire at the victim and one of the bullets went into a house across the street. Both Howard and the 15-year-old ran toward their vehicle, a reported stolen black Toyota Carolla, and fled the scene. The victim called the police and the Cleveland Division of Police (CDP) responded to the scene.

On December 11, 2023, around 2 p.m., the victim, OSU Football Coach Keenan Bailey, 28, was parked at Ginn Academy in Cleveland. Ja’Brian Howard along with the 15-year-old male and the 17-year-old male parked near the victim. One of the males approached the victim, pointed a gun at him, and stated, “Give me your keys, give me your wallet, give me your phone.” He then drove away in the victim’s rented Dodge Durango and the two others followed in a white Lexus that had previously been reported stolen. CDP responded to the scene.

On December 11, around 2:30 p.m., the victim, 38,  was parked in her driveway, with her three children in the car, near East 103rd Street and Elk Avenue in Cleveland. Ja’Brian Howard along with the 15-year-old male and the 17-year-old male parked near the victim. One of the males approached the victim’s driver-side window. He tapped on the glass with a gun and stated, “Let me in before I kill you.” The victim drove away and called the CDP. Ja’Brian Howard, the 15-year-old male, and the 17-year-old male then fled the scene in the stolen Dodge Durango.

On December 11, around 2:45 p.m. the victim, 67, was parked in front of a residence near Parkwood Avenue and Bryant Avenue in Cleveland. Ja’Brian Howard along with the 17-year-old male and the 15-year-old male parked near the victim. One of the males approached the victim and attempted to pull open the car door. He then pulled out a gun and demanded she open the door. The victim drove away and called the CDP. Ja’Brian Howard, the 15-year-old male, and the 17-year-old male then fled the scene in the stolen Dodge Durango.

On December 11, around 4 p.m. officers with the CDP observed the Dodge Durango on Lakeview Road in Cleveland. Ja’Brian Howard, along with Anyrie Wallace, 19, Aringwa Harris, 18, the 17-year-old male, and the 15-year-old male continued to flee at high rates of speed and drove through several red lights and stop signs. A CDP helicopter observed the Dodge Durango and tracked the vehicle’s movements. The vehicle slowed down on Whitmore Avenue and the five occupants inside the vehicle bailed and attempted to flee the scene. Officers with the CDP arrested Ja’Brian Howard, Anyrie Wallace, the 17-year-old male, and the 15-year-old male. Aringwa Harris was later identified.

On December 19, 2023, Ja’Brian Howard was indicted on the following charges:

  • Four counts of Aggravated Robbery
  • Four counts of Robbery
  • Four counts of Attempted Kidnapping
  • Two counts of Felonious Assault
  • Two counts of Failure to Comply with an Order or Signal of a Police Officer
  • One count of Discharge of Firearm On or Near Prohibited Premises
  • One count of Improperly Discharging a Firearm at or into a Habitation or a School Safety Zone
  • One count of Improperly Handling Firearms in a Motor Vehicle
  • One count of Receiving Stolen Property

 

Anyrie Wallace and Aringwa Harris were indicted on the following charges:

  • One count of Improperly Handling Firearms in a Motor Vehicle
  • One count of Receiving Stolen Property

They will be arraigned at the Cuyahoga County Justice Center at a later date.

The 15-year-old male and the 17-year-old male have been charged in juvenile court.