YOUNGSTOWN Stolen car found in chop shop

Police found no doorknob on the front door and a shotgun next to the door.
By PATRICIA MEADE
VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Someone stripped a stolen 1989 Camaro IROC-Z for parts in the garage of a Shady Run Road house occupied only by two scared pit bull dogs.
Acting on a tip, Patrolmen Dan Mikus and Terry Russo discovered the chop shop at 2705 Shady Run early Wednesday afternoon.
The officers took inventory of the operation, which included acetylene torches, assorted tools and heavy-duty extension cords.
Mikus said the black Camaro was reported stolen Sept. 15 from Boardman. It belongs to a man who lives on Briarwood Lane in Austintown.
Russo said the front door of the two-story house was unlocked and had no doorknob. He and Mikus saw a shotgun just inside the door and two mottled-brown pit bulls in the furnished living room.
Within minutes of the officers' arrival, those sent to assist converged on the typically quiet tree-lined South Side neighborhood.
Help for the dogs
Dave Nelson, Animal Charity humane investigator, and John Klenec, a Mahoning County deputy dog warden, entered the house with snares to take control of the dogs, both male.
Nelson said he found a little food set out for the dogs but no water. Looking at the dog held by Klenec, Nelson said it showed the obvious signs of being beaten.
"Look at his eyes. Look how he keeps his head down," Nelson said. "It's sad."
Nelson said his investigation may lead to charges of animal cruelty and he would discuss the case today with the city prosecutor. He said police found documents with names on them inside the house that will aid in the investigation.
Nelson secured the dogs in the house overnight, after supplying them with food and water. He said he would take them today if the cruelty charges were filed.
"This tells me someone with a Camaro was rear-ended and needed parts," Patrolman Terry Alexander, who investigates auto theft, said as he stood near the ruined car. "It's ridiculous what some parts cost to replace."
Alexander said the trunk lid, hatchback rear glass and taillights had been removed from the car. It was "absolutely not" a professional job, he said. Patrolman Lou Ciavarella, a crime lab officer, dusted for fingerprints in the garage and then stood over the gutted Camaro and lifted prints from its roof with clear sticky tape.
Two flatbed trailers were used to take away the Camaro and a white Oldsmobile, with its steering column peeled, that had been parked in the driveway.
meade@vindy.com