20-Year-Old Joseph Littlejohn Indicted for Aggravated Murder and Two Aggravated Robberies that Occurred Within Four Hours; Indicted Previously for Two Incidents

On December 16, 2022, around 9 p.m., after communicating on a social media website, Joseph Littlejohn and an unidentified individual met up with the victim, 28, outside of the victim’s residence near Maplecrest Avenue and West 54th Street in Parma to purchase an Xbox and accessories from the victim. After Littlejohn arrived at the residence, the victim approached him to make the sale. Littlejohn exited the vehicle and stated, “I’m taking this from you,” before pulling out a long rifle and pointing it at the victim’s chest. The victim refused to give over his property and Littlejohn fired one round off into the sky. The victim then gave Littlejohn his property, ran back to his residence, and called the police. Littlejohn and the unidentified driver fled the scene. The Parma Police Department (PPD) responded to the scene.

He was arrested on December 16, 2022, and a $10,000 10% cash bond was set by Parma Municipal Court at his first appearance. Littlejohn posted bond on January 24, 2023, and was arraigned in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas where the original bond was continued.

On September 11, 2023, around 3 a.m., Joseph Littlejohn was wearing a ski mask and driving a stolen vehicle in circles near the intersection of Eddy Road and Lakeshore Boulevard in Bratenahl. Bratenahl police officers attempted to execute a traffic stop on the vehicle and Littlejohn continued to flee into Cleveland. Shortly after, Littlejohn re-entered Bratenahl and continued to taunt officers from the vehicle, driving recklessly on the wrong side of the road and through red lights at high rates of speed. He would then flee to Cleveland. Bratenahl police officers once again attempted to make a traffic stop. During the stop, Littlejohn reversed and hit a police vehicle and a telephone pole then continued to flee on foot. Littlejohn was apprehended by the Bratenahl Police Department (BPD). A fully loaded Glock 23 handgun was found in his possession and seized at the time of his arrest.

He was arrested on September 11, 2023. He had his first appearance in Cleveland Municipal Court and a  $5,000 10% cash bond was set. He was indicted by a grand jury and he was summoned to the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas for his arraignment on October 11, 2023. The Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas reimposed Littlejohn’s original bond and he was released the same day.

On January 4, 2024, around 4:30 p.m., after communicating on a social media website, Joseph Littlejohn and three unidentified individuals met up with the victim, 19, outside of a residence located near Superior Road and East Overlook Road in Cleveland Heights to purchase Apple AirPods from the victim. Littlejohn requested the victim meet him at the residence. Shortly after the victim arrived at the residence, Littlejohn and three other unidentified individuals blocked the victim’s vehicle in the driveway with a black Jeep Grand Cherokee. All four individuals exited the Jeep and ordered the victim out of her vehicle. All four individuals were wearing ski masks and had guns, one being a rifle-style weapon. They pointed their guns at her and told her to give them everything she had. They stole her phone, AirPods, and personal belongings. They then fled the scene in her vehicle and the Jeep Grand Cherokee they arrived in. A good Samaritan witnessed the robbery from her residence and called the police. The Cleveland Heights Police Department (CHPD) responded to the scene.

Later that day, approximately four hours later, the victim, 22, arrived at the same residence located near Superior Road and East Overlook Road in Cleveland Heights to sell clothing. Joseph Littlejohn and at least one other unknown individual arrived at the residence in the same black Jeep Grand Cherokee. They robbed the victim, fired several shots, and fled the scene in the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Several good Samaritans heard the shots and called the police. CHPD and the Cleveland Heights Fire Department responded to the scene and the victim was pronounced deceased.

A few days later, the black Jeep Grand Cherokee was burned and was located in East Cleveland. Video evidence, firearm evidence, and phone evidence linked Littlejohn to all four incidents. The incidents were investigated by PPD, BPD, and CHPD. On January 16, 2024, Littlejohn turned himself in to CHPD.

On January 17, 2024, Joseph Littlejohn was indicted on the following charges:

• Two counts of Aggravated Murder
• One count of Murder
• Four counts of Aggravated Robbery
• Two counts of Felonious Assault
• Two counts of Having Weapons While Under Disability
• One count of Kidnapping
• One count of Carrying a Concealed Weapon
• One count of Improperly Handling Firearms In A Motor Vehicle
• One count of Receiving Stolen Property
• One count of Arson
• One count of Theft

The 2022 aggravated robbery was re-indicted to include the January 2024 incidents.