Wednesday, October 17, 2001
Cops probe drive-by
YOUNGSTOWN -- Police are investigating a South Side drive-by house shooting after they found a handgun and assault rifle near the home where a 3-year-old boy lived with his mother and grandmother.
The grandmother, 38, reported that she and her daughter and grandson were on the second level of their South Florida Avenue home about 10 p.m. Tuesday when they heard gunfire and found that the first floor had been damaged. The 21-year-old daughter said the shots may have been fired by a 16-year-old boy who has been feuding with her family. Police found seven gunshot holes in the home's first floor front wall. They found 16 shell casings from three different types of guns on the sidewalk, street and yard in front of the home and on the street.
Officers also found a damaged Dodge Dakota abandoned at East Florida and Rush Boulevard. Inside, they discovered a handgun between the passenger seat and center console. An assault rifle was found in the yard of a nearby East Florida Avenue home.
Road resurfacing
CRAIG BEACH -- The village plans to resurface two streets in the next few days, weather permitting.
Warren Avenue is scheduled for repaving Thursday, and resurfacing is planned for Portage Road on Monday , said Mayor Camille C. Gaia III.
The mayor said the roads were selected for resurfacing by the village planning board and approved by council. Street levy funds will be used to pay for the roadwork.
Woman accosted
YOUNGSTOWN -- A South Side woman told police she was approached by a gunman last month as she left her West Florida Avenue home to walk her dog. The 41-year-old woman said she had stepped onto her front porch about 10 p.m. Sept. 30 when the gunman put a handgun to her head, said "we want the money" and attempted to feel around her. She said she believes he was scared away when he felt the barrel of a gun she keeps in the back of her pants. He fled with another person. She said she waited until Tuesday afternoon to call police because she had just discovered the identity of her attacker.
Facing drug charge
YOUNGSTOWN -- A 21-year-old Parkwood Avenue man faces a charge of aggravated trafficking in cocaine after police found several rocks on him when arresting him on the South Side for driving without a license, police said. They said the man was driving a 1988 Pontiac Bonneville on Rush Boulevard at East Avondale without a front plate. When they attempted to stop the car, the driver pulled into a corner driveway, exited the car and attempted to enter the home, but it was locked. Police discovered he had no license, arrested him and found a pill bottle with nine small plastic bags containing two to three small white rocks each. They also found another container holding two large white rocks, two smaller white rocks and small chips. Police confiscated the rocks and $92.
Removed from home
YOUNGSTOWN -- Deputy sheriffs removed a 9-year-old boy from his South Side home Tuesday after officers found unsanitary conditions and no working utilities. The boy lived in the West Boston Avenue home with his mother. A detective said the environment posed a health risk and there was no electricity or running water. The boy was placed in the custody of Children Services.
Possession charges
BOARDMAN - Township police charged two residents with possession of drug paraphernalia and other charges. While serving a warrant for domestic violence at 2:15 a.m. today, officers discovered a marijuana pipe, rolling papers, small bags of marijuana and other miscellaneous drug items in the Rockdale Avenue apartment of a 21-year-old man.
Two hours earlier, police responded to a car accident in the area of Waseka Drive and Canterberry Lane and found a 1994 Honda Accord against a utility pole with a woman inside. The woman was taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center. Officers who searched the car found a change purse containing three plastic bags of suspected marijuana, a plastic straw with suspected cocaine residue, rolling papers and a white pill. She is charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, failure to control her vehicle, and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
Austintown fire
AUSTINTOWN -- A family dog died in a fire at 12:19 p.m. Tuesday that caused an estimated $50,000 damage to a rental home at 3730 Kirk Road. Fire department officials said the cause of the fire, which was contained to the ranch style home's bedroom, is under investigation.