CLEVELAND – Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley announced that Mye Kel Cannady, 21, was sentenced to 25 to 29 years in prison for committing 18 armed robberies of gas stations within a 30-day period across Cuyahoga County.

“This serial robber traumatized nearly two dozen people at gunpoint in only a month’s time. He has been held accountable for the havoc he wreaked in our community.”

Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley

Between August 27, 2020, and September 26, 2020, Cannady robbed 17 different gas stations (one of which he robbed twice) – which included six in Cleveland, three in Parma, two in Lakewood, two in Independence, and one each in Maple Heights, Brooklyn, Brook Park, and Beachwood. In each incident, Cannady waited outside plotting an opportune time to strike. He then entered the stores and demanded money from the victims – both males and females ranging in age from 19 to 62 years old – at gunpoint. In some incidents, Cannady pistol-whipped victims and threatened their lives. He stole cash, cigarettes, and other merchandise before fleeing the scenes.

On September 26, 2020, the Parma Police Department was notified of two armed robberies that occurred that day and located the suspect’s vehicle near West 130th Street and Brookpark Road. They attempted to stop the vehicle, but Cannady sped away and a pursuit ensued that spanned multiple jurisdictions before ending near Garfield Boulevard and East 78th Place in Cleveland. Cannady became trapped on a dead-end road and hit two police cruisers in an attempt to escape. He exited his vehicle and was arrested following a brief foot chase.

Investigators from each agency and the Crime Strategies Unit of the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office were able to link Cannady to the string of robberies through video surveillance, photos, and DNA evidence.

Cannady pleaded guilty to the following charges:

  • 18 Counts of Aggravated Robbery
  • One Count of Failure To Comply
  • One Count of Vandalism
  • One Count of Having Weapons Under Disability

Cannady was sentenced to 25 to 29 years in prison. He was sentenced under “The Reagan Tokes Law,” which implements an indefinite sentencing system for non-life felonies of the first and second degree in which the judge imposes both a minimum term (from the current sentencing range) and a maximum term (that includes an additional 50% of the minimum term imposed). The Ohio Department of Corrections will review the case and Cannady’s behavior after he has served 25 years and will make a determination as to whether he should be released.