Fire ruled intentional

Fire ruled intentional
YOUNGSTOWN -- A fire official has ruled that an early morning blaze Monday that seven people escaped with no serious injury was deliberately set.
Battalion Chief Tim McGarry said the blaze at 1328 E. Florida Ave. was an arson. He would not comment further. Damage was estimated at between $25,000 and $30,000.
Two women suffered minor injuries to their ankles after they were forced to jump from a second-story window. A child was dropped from the same window but was uninjured. Two adult males and two other children escaped the home through a door.
Facing drug charges
YOUNGSTOWN -- An East Myrtle Avenue man was to appear in municipal court later today on drug and weapons charges.
A caller told police around 8:15 p.m. Tuesday that a tan vehicle with five men inside, all wearing red bandanas, was driving erratically along Erie Street on the city's South Side. When officers responded, they found five men standing around the vehicle, one of whom was carrying a pipe, but dropped it when ordered to do so.
While searching the vehicle, police recovered a loaded handgun on the floorboard behind the driver's seat. Two shell cartridge containers, one loaded and one empty, also were found, while a bag of suspected marijuana was in the vehicle's glove box.
The vehicle's 20-year-old owner was charged with trafficking in marijuana and carrying a concealed weapon.
Arraigned over 911 calls
YOUNGSTOWN -- A city man who called 911 for a ride got one -- straight to jail.
Jonathan Brown, 26, of West Myrtle Avenue, was arraigned Tuesday on a charge of abuse of 911 after he called the number six times in one hour early Tuesday, asking for a ride to the North Side.
His bond was set at $1,500, and a hearing was set for 11 a.m. June 27 before Judge Elizabeth A. Kobly.
Items stolen from home
YOUNGSTOWN -- A Byron Street man reported several items missing from his home, including two guns.
The 21-year-old man told police that between 10 p.m. Sunday and 2 a.m. Monday, someone entered his residence and removed a rifle, a handgun, various items of clothing and money. The items were valued at $1,700.
Plea in fireworks case
AUSTINTOWN -- A Burkey Road man accused of having a quarter-stick of dynamite in his car has pleaded innocent to a charge of illegal discharging of fireworks.
Alex Magnolia, 30, entered the plea late last week in Mahoning County Court here. Police pulled Magnolia over around 7 p.m. June 11 on Meridian Road near Edgehill Avenue for having a defective exhaust. The dynamite, which was designed to be used as a firework, was next to the driver's seat.
Warrant issued for man
AUSTINTOWN -- A warrant has been issued for a Cuyahoga Falls man accused of urinating in the parking lot of The Mill nightclub.
Brandon Hiner, 25, did not appear as scheduled for his arraignment on a disorderly conduct charge June 10 in county court here. The warrant was issued Tuesday. Police cited Hiner late May 16 and Alan Charity, 22, of Jacobs Road, Hubbard, early May 17 for urinating in full view of passing traffic.
Charity pleaded no contest and was found guilty May 20. He was ordered to pay $75 in fines and costs by Judge David D'Apolito.
Drug-charge arrest
YOUNGSTOWN -- Police arrested a 43-year-old Pasadena Avenue man after a citizen called them and said the suspect was dealing drugs on the street.
Police made the arrest around 6 p.m. Tuesday after police saw him leave the street and enter a vacant structure on West Princeton Avenue.
Police reports say the caller told police the man was selling drugs from a pill bottle. The suspect was arrested on warrants for failing to appear in court on charges of possession of drug paraphernalia, disorderly conduct and criminal trespassing, and also was charged with obstructing official business. He was scheduled for arraignment later today in municipal court.
Clerk aids in arrest
AUSTINTOWN -- A Days Inn clerk is being credited by police with helping in the arrest of suspected bank robber Robert T. Naples.
Donna Marie Wingard, 44, of Youngstown, notified police after seeing a photo of Naples on the news.
The suspect, accused of robbing the Charter Bank in Liberty, checked into the hotel on 1051 North Canfield-Niles Road on Monday using a state license under another name.
Naples, 30, of Poland Avenue, Youngstown, was arrested without incident in the hotel room. His arraignment on a charge of robbery was set for today.