Bond set at $2 million for alleged killer of clerk; accomplice’s bond set at $500,000

Bond was set at $2 million during an arraignment Friday morning for the 22-year-old man charged in connection with the robbery and killing of a BP gas station clerk Wednesday morning, authorities said.

Anthony Belton, of 934 Cuthbert Rd., was charged with aggravated murder and aggravated robbery, both with gun specifications.

2 held in fatal shooting at West Toledo gas station
From earlier editions of toledoblade.com

Authorities yesterday struggled to understand why three men - all of whom have had little or no contact with police - robbed a BP gas station in West Toledo during which one of the men shot and killed the clerk. Anthony Belton, 22, of 934 Cuthbert Rd., the suspected gunman, and Dymon Bolton, 18, of 623 Ranch Drive, who allegedly drove the getaway car, were apprehended about 8:30 p.m. Wednesday - 13 1/2 hours after the crime - outside a house near 1018 Ranch Drive, six blocks from the gas station.

Police questioned them at the Public Safety Building downtown, where they confessed and were charged about 4 a.m. yesterday, Deputy Chief Don Kenney said. An arrest warrant for aggravated robbery with a gun specification was issued for Tony Bivens, 17, who police believe was in the getaway vehicle. He was not in custody last night.

"None of them had an extensive record of any sort," Chief Kenney said. But he stressed that doesn't mean the suspects haven't been involved in criminal activity in the past.

According to police, Mr. Belton walked into BP at 3306 Dorr St. about 7 a.m. Wednesday, pointed a gun at clerk Matthew Dugan, 34, and demanded money.

After getting an undetermined amount of money, Mr. Belton apparently told Mr. Du-gan to also give him telephone calling cards that were behind the counter.

When Mr. Dugan turned around to get them, Mr. Belton shot him once in the back of the head and fled, Deputy Chief Kenney said. Mr. Dugan's body was found about 7:45 a.m. by a woman who had stopped at the gas station to buy cigarettes.

Mr. Belton was charged with aggravated murder and aggravated robbery, both with gun specifications.

Mr. Bolton was charged with aggravated robbery with a gun specification. They are being held in the Lucas County jail without bond pending their arraignments today in Toledo Municipal Court.
Toledo police Capt. Ray Carroll said officers are trying to comprehend why the shooting occurred.

"It's hard to do, let alone trying to develop the mind-set of what would cause [someone] to shoot a guy who handed over the money," he said.

Deputy Chief Kenney reiterated yesterday that Mr. Dugan did everything the robber asked of him.

"There was absolutely no reason for him to be shot," he said.

One day prior to the shooting, Mr. Belton was stopped by police for suspicious activity, the deputy chief said.

He was issued a summons to appear in court for two misdemeanor warrants: one for loitering and another for failure to register dogs, Toledo Municipal Court records show.

Deputy Chief Kenney said officers who regularly patrol the West Toledo area where the two suspects were arrested recognized Mr. Belton from surveillance video released Wednesday.

wo search warrants were served simultaneously about 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at 1018 Ranch and 1013 Broer Ave. in search of Mr. Belton, who was apprehended with Mr. Bolton in a car down the street from the Ranch address. The weapon used in the shooting was found nearby, Deputy Chief Kenney said.

Mr. Belton had a "sizeable amount" of money on him when he was arrested, Deputy Chief Kenney said.

Other than the two misdemeanor charges for loitering and failure to register dogs, Mr. Belton has previously been convicted of providing false information to police and disorderly conduct, also misdemeanors.

Mr. Bolton had no juvenile or adult criminal record. Police said Mr. Bolton is a known gang member.

The Bivens youth has been found delinquent in connection with several misdemeanors in Lucas County Juvenile Court, which include violating the safe school ordinance, drug abuse, menacing, and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, said Dan Pompa, the court administrator.

Police said the three suspects are not believed to be linked to any other robberies.

Mayor Carty Finkbeiner and several police command officers held a news conference yesterday in Government Center to address the death of Mr. Dugan.

He was the son of Tom Dugan, a longtime Toledo firefighter and former president of Local 92 of the International Association of Firefighters Local 92, who died of cancer in 2004. The victim's sister, Molly Dugan, also was present.

"What happened yesterday is absolutely unexplainable, unforgiveable," Mr. Finkbeiner said.

Molly Dugan, clenching a picture of her brother, briefly spoke at the news conference, thanking police officers for their hard work and dedication.

"There are no words to thank them enough for what they have done for us," she said. "They were relentless in their pursuit. They are just heroes to us," she said.