Police chase leads to arrest

Police chase leads to arrest
WARREN -- Police arrested Curtis Stephenson, 39, after a car chase that took officers from Warren to Lordstown and back. Stephenson, of Orchard Avenue, was observed by police driving away from a known drug house in the city shortly before 8 p.m. Tuesday, reports say. Shortly afterward, he was pulled over for running a stop sign at Ferndale and Southern Boulevard Southwest but hit the gas when the officer got out of his car, police said. After leading police on a chase into Lordstown and around the Lordstown schools parking lot on Tod Avenue Southwest, the fleeing pickup crashed into a cruiser that was blocking it from making a U-turn on Main Southwest in Warren. Curtis ran from the car and was arrested after a brief chase. A drug pipe was found in his possession, police said. One officer injured his wrist in the scuffle, and Curtis had to be struck four times before he was subdued, police said. He was charged with felonious assault, resisting arrest, possession of drug paraphernalia, failure to comply, driving under suspension and driving under the influence.
Dial 911 for ambulance
GIRARD -- City residents are being instructed to dial 911 if they need an ambulance after 11:30 p.m. Monday, when the city terminates its city-operated ambulance service. Mayor James J. Melfi said that should the need for an ambulance arise, dialing 911 will connect the caller to the police department. A private ambulance will be dispatched.
Girl, horse fall through ice
ELLWOOD CITY, Pa. -- A horse and a teenage girl who tried to retrieve it were rescued by Shenango Township and Princeton firefighters after they fell through the ice into a pond at 4355 Ellwood Road in Wayne Township on Tuesday afternoon. A 911 caller said he saw both fall through the ice at 3:17 p.m. The girl was treated by ambulance personnel at the scene. The horse emerged from the pond by itself after firefighters in a canoe broke the ice out to the horse, said Wayne Township Fire Chief Jim Buchanan. A veterinarian was called to check on the horse, he said.
Gunfire hits 2 houses
YOUNGSTOWN -- Two houses in the 3000 block of Rush Boulevard were fired upon late Tuesday and early today. At about 11 p.m. Tuesday, the first house was hit and police collected two bullets that landed in the living room and kitchen. Five shell casings were found in the street. At 2:30 a.m. today, someone fired at least six shots into another house nearby, police said. The resident told police the shots were fired from a car.
Annual Christmas dinner
YOUNGSTOWN -- Gleaners Food Bank will have its annual Christmas dinner for the needy between noon and 1 p.m. Thursday at St. Patrick Church on Oak Hill Avenue. Also, toys for children will be given away. On Saturday, an ice cream giveaway will be between 10 a.m. at noon at the food bank headquarters on Pyatt Street.
Man reports being shot
YOUNGSTOWN -- An Austintown man told police he was shot in his car during a robbery attempt in the 400 block of Otis Street on Tuesday afternoon, reports show. David Sletvold, 20, of East Rockwell Avenue, told police he had $160 in his lap when a man in a Cleveland Browns coat approached, asked for a cigarette and then tried to grab the cash. During a struggle over the money, the robber pulled a gun and fired twice, hitting Sletvold in the right arm and left leg. A woman passenger in the car put the car in gear, and Sletvold drove to St. Elizabeth Health Center.
Arrested in break-in
YOUNGSTOWN -- A search for a church burglar early today on the North Side resulted in the arrest of Derrick G. McIntosh, 34, of North Heights Avenue, reports show. He faces a charge of breaking and entering. The search began at 2:15 a.m., after police found remnants of a stained-glass window in a trash bin at the Fifth Avenue Community Church, 1361 Fifth Ave., and received a description of the suspect from a witness. McIntosh was found hiding behind a trash bin on Elm Street. Police said he had minor cuts on his forearms and wrists. McIntosh, according to police, admitted that he broke into the church and showed them where he had stashed a bag with an assortment of gospel CDs.
Recall on candles
BOARDMAN -- Township firefighters are warning area residents about a recall on candles sold at some Wal-Mart stores. Home Trends Ice Holiday Collection Candle gift set, Snow House Candle gift set, Snowman Candle gift set and Snowflake Candle gift set manufactured by Qingdao Kingking Applied Chemistry Co. Ltd. of China are being recalled. Fire officials say the paint on the exterior surface of the candles could sustain a flame, posing a potential fire hazard. The set should be returned to Wal-Mart for a refund, fire officials said.