After chase, arrested man faces burglary, theft charges

AUSTINTOWN -- Police arrested a man who had been squatting in a vacant rental home, in the burglary of four homes in late June and early July.
Donald Lupole, 45, is charged with four felony counts of burglary, two counts of felony auto theft, one felony count of failure to comply with the directions of a police officer, and one misdemeanor count of criminal trespass.
Police said Lupole stole money, credit cards, checks and prescription drugs from three houses on South Yorkshire Boulevard and a house on North Edgehill Avenue. Also stolen were two cars. The total value of the items has not been determined.
Lupole was arrested Sunday after leading police on a seven-minute chase in a stolen car. The chase started on Nantucket Drive when police used the license plate on the vehicle to determine that it had been stolen.
He surrendered about 7:30 p.m. when he was boxed in by four police cruisers at the corner of Meridian and Kirk roads.
Police said Lupole had been squatting in a vacant rental home at 4329 Mahoning Ave. The owner called police Sunday afternoon when he discovered someone was living there.
Police found one of the two stolen cars when they arrived at the home.