Two facing assault, robbery charges in Elyria laundromat incident

ELYRIA, Ohio — Two local residents are facing multiple felony charges following a violent assault and robbery at the South Side Laundromat on Middle Avenue. The incident, which was captured on surveillance video, left a customer and an employee injured and shocked the local community.

According to police records, Elyria officers responded to reports of a disturbance at the South Side Laundromat, located at 818 Middle Avenue, on Saturday, November 23, 2024. Witnesses stated that a man and a woman had entered the business and initiated a physical confrontation with an employee and a customer.

Brutal Assault Captured on Video

Surveillance footage from the business reportedly detailed the severity of the encounter. The female suspect, identified as 39-year-old Mallory Davenport, was observed throwing a female victim to the floor and punching her repeatedly in the head and upper body. Simultaneously, her male accomplice, 46-year-old Laurence Carr, was seen kicking the defenseless woman in the head, face, and body.

A bystander attempted to intervene and halt the assault, but Carr turned on the individual, punching them in the face. Although the bystander attempted to deploy a Taser in self-defense, it proved ineffective against Carr. The suspects then grabbed two bags belonging to the victims and fled the scene in a silver Dodge Journey.

Swift Arrest and Sentencings

Police spotted the getaway vehicle shortly after the incident and conducted a high-risk traffic stop, taking both Carr and Davenport into custody. Davenport was found with minor injuries, while the victims of the assault were treated by emergency services.

Both suspects were indicted on multiple counts including aggravated robbery and felonious assault. In subsequent court proceedings, Laurence Carr pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery, felonious assault, and misdemeanor assault. In June 2025, he was sentenced to between 3 and 4.5 years in state prison. Mallory Davenport also entered a guilty plea and was sentenced to community control for her role in the attack.