LIBERTY HOMICIDE Cops focus on burglary at apartment

The victim has been in and out of trouble since 1996, records show.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
LIBERTY -- Liberty police are trying to connect the burglary of Niles J. Emmert's apartment and his shooting death earlier this week.
Emmert's body was found late Tuesday night at his apartment at 4148 Madison Ave. in the Monticello Apartments complex.
Trumbull County Coroner's Office has ruled the death a homicide, saying he suffered multiple gunshot wounds.
According to a police report, Emmert's apartment was the scene of a Nov. 30, 2000, burglary in which two amplifiers were stolen. An audio recorder was found near the front door. No money was reported missing.
Entry to the apartment was made by kicking in the front door.
Police Chief Michael Pilolli said Thursday that charges are anticipated as a result of the burglary.
Investigators are trying to determine if there is a connection between the break-in and Emmert's death.
This is the first indication police have given on the direction of their investigation.
Police were called to Emmert's apartment late Tuesday night by a neighbor who reported hearing gunshots.
Record: Emmert is a multistate offender, according to police records, having been in trouble with police since 1996.
He was charged with misdemeanor assault in 1996 in Kansas City, Mo., that was later dismissed.
In 1997, he was charge by Youngstown with carrying a concealed weapon, failure to comply with the orders of a police officer and driving under suspension. He was handed a 30-day jail term.
A year later, Emmert was charged in San Diego, Calif., with a felony drug charge. He was sentenced to six months in jail and placed on three years' probation.
Emmert was charged by Youngstown police with drug abuse in February 1999. He was fined $100 and his Ford Explorer was seized.
In 2000, he was charged by Youngstown police with drug abuse and fined $50.
In February 2000, Liberty police responded to a domestic dispute at his Madison Avenue apartment. He was arrested because he hadn't shown up for court on a traffic charge filed by Hubbard Township police.