Ronald Loftis, 47, was sentenced Tuesday in Cuyahoga County to 51 years to 56½ years in prison for a violent carjacking that left a Cleveland mother with a gunshot wound to her face and her 1-year-old son thrown into the snow as he fled with her vehicle.
Background
The incident unfolded around 7:30 a.m. Jan. 2 in the 7900 block of Madison Avenue on Cleveland's Near West Side, according to police. Loftis approached the victim as she sat in her car, pointed a firearm at her face and demanded money. When she explained she had no cash, he grabbed for her keys and a struggle ensued. During the confrontation, the gun discharged, striking the woman in the face.
Loftis then reached into the vehicle, seized the woman's 1-year-old son and hurled the toddler onto the frozen ground before climbing behind the wheel and speeding away. Officers located the stolen vehicle shortly after the robbery. He was apprehended at a residence on the city's east side.
"This was a senseless and violent crime carried out with complete disregard for human life," Cleveland Police Chief Dorothy A. Todd said following Loftis's arrest. "Because of the decisive and relentless work of our officers and detectives, this dangerous individual is now off our streets."
The Charges
Loftis pleaded guilty last month to three counts of aggravated robbery and felonious assault, among other charges, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O'Malley said. He faced additional charges related to a separate attack that occurred approximately 30 minutes before the carjacking.
In that earlier incident, authorities said Loftis approached a woman waiting for a bus, announced "Sorry to do this to you," fired a shot into the ground and then pistol-whipped her before stealing her cellphone. The assault was captured on street surveillance cameras. He later returned the phone.
"Ronald Loftis is a violent predator who terrorized women and children on Cleveland's Near West Side," O'Malley said in a statement. "Our thoughts remain with the victim as she recovers from this traumatic event."
Key Takeaways
- Loftis received 51 years to 56½ years in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated robbery and felonious assault charges.
- The mother sustained a gunshot wound to her face during the struggle over her vehicle keys.
- The 1-year-old victim was thrown from the car into snow but was not physically harmed, according to police.
- Loftis also admitted to pistol-whipping another woman at a bus stop approximately 30 minutes before the carjacking.
- Cleveland Police Chief Dorothy A. Todd called the crimes "a senseless and violent crime carried out with complete disregard for human life."
What's Next
Loftis will begin serving his sentence immediately at an Ohio Department of Corrections facility. The victim continues recovering from her injuries, though authorities have not disclosed further details about her condition.