STRUTHERS Neighbors feud; 3 people arrested
STRUTHERS -- Ongoing problems between neighbors at 133, 140 and 144 Narcissa Street brought police out more than six times last week, resulting in three arrests.
Police were initially called for reports of a fight among residents at those addresses around 7:30 p.m. July 22. According to reports, one neighbor, who is white, alleged other residents, who are Hispanic, had been harassing him for more than two weeks, making threats against him, his family and his home.
When the Hispanic neighbors were questioned, they told police they had been trying to avoid the man, but that he would drive past their homes, yelling racial slurs and trying to pick a fight.
Officers advised the parties involved to disperse and told them if they wanted to take further action they could contact the city prosecutor.
Called back
After clearing the scene, reports show, police were called back to the addresses two other times, at 8:15 p.m. and 9:08 p.m., again for reports of fighting. On the final trip, officers advised all parties who do not live on Narcissa Street to leave the area, and many did. Officers also informed those involved that any further calls would likely result in charges of disorderly conduct.
Baby report
Reports show a neighbor called police again to 133 Narcissa St. at 1:18 p.m. Wednesday afternoon for a report of a baby left alone in a house.
When officers arrived, they questioned resident Ortegas Devon Jones, 21, who told police the infant was upstairs sleeping in a crib and acknowledged he had left the home to talk with a neighbor, Sean P. Wagner, 25, of 140 Narcissa St., about an ongoing dispute over Wagner's Rottweiler dog.
After talking with residents, some of whom informed officers this was not the first time the infant had been left alone, and seeing the baby sleeping in an upstairs room, police called Mahoning County Children Services. Representatives from CSB told police they had been called before, and had instructed neighbors to inform them any time the child was left alone.
Police officers determined Jones was in violation for leaving the child alone, and charged him with child endangerment.
He appeared Friday in Struthers Municipal Court and pleaded innocent. He was released after paying a $1,000 bond. A court date was set for 10:15 a.m. Jan. 6.
More calls
Police were called at least two other times later Wednesday by Narcissa Street residents complaining of squealing tires and drivers "peeling out" on the street.
Reports show police responded again, this time to 144 Narcissa St. at 2:47 a.m. Thursday, for a report of someone burning items in a driveway, but found nothing. They questioned the female resident, who said her neighbor, Wagner, had been squealing his vehicle's tires in the driveway.
During that investigation, Wagner came out of his home, yelling at officers and asking why they were in the neighborhood again, reports show.
Wagner left his door open, reports say, and his Rottweiler began baring its teeth and growling. After officers repeatedly told Wagner to secure the dog, and warned him what would happen if the dog charged and tried to attack the officers, he said "Well, just [expletive] arrest me then."
Wagner was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct; he also appeared Friday in Struthers Municipal Court. He pleaded innocent and was released on a $1,000 bond. His trial is set for 10:15 a.m. Jan. 29.
Complains about landlord
After his hearing, however, Wagner filed a complaint with court officials against his landlord, Nick Martin, 31, of Parkcliffe Avenue, alleging that he threatened him during the July 22 fracas on the street and had a gun.
According to reports, court officials issued a warrant and Martin was arrested over the weekend and charged with aggravated menacing. He appeared in municipal court Monday and pleaded innocent. He was released after paying a $1,000 bond. A trial was set for Jan. 29.