WARREN — A 44-year-old Youngstown man pleaded guilty Wednesday to a third-degree felony robbery charge in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court, officials said.

The defendant, Robert Elias of Edgewater Drive, faces up to 36 months in prison, with sentencing pending a background investigation by Judge Cynthia Westcott Rice.

The plea relates to a Feb. 23, 2025, incident at a U-Haul outlet in the 600 block of Main Avenue SW in Warren.

According to a Warren police report, Elias approached the counter around 2:30 p.m., implied he had a firearm, and demanded money. He fled with $100 in cash but was apprehended later that day near Vine Avenue NE after being identified by the employee.

Elias initially pleaded not guilty to a second-degree robbery charge at his February arraignment in Warren Municipal Court before Judge Natasha K. Natale.

His bond was set at $200,000, with conditions barring him from entering U-Haul stores or driving. He was held in Trumbull County jail following his arrest.