DOWNTOWN Police arrest teenagers after fireworks episode

The younger teens were taken to the county juvenile justice center.
By PATRICIA MEADE
VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Police arrested five teenage boys who ran from the Western Reserve Transity Authority bus station after shooting off fireworks -- including a bottle rocket a security guard reported was aimed at his head.
Police confiscated from the teens two lighters and a large quantity of bottle rockets, turbo-prop spinners and gyro bloom spinners. The fireworks, prohibited for discharge in Ohio, are being stored at the Youngstown Fire Department downtown.
Although exploding fireworks are sold in Ohio -- only sparklers, smoke bombs and other novelties can be ignited in the state. Those who purchase banned fireworks must sign an affidavit promising to take them out of state within 48 hours.
Age restriction
Fire Capt. Alvin Ware, commander of the arson bureau, said a person must be 18 to buy fireworks in Ohio.
Police took four of the boys -- ages 13, 14, 14, and 15 and all from Youngstown -- to the Martin P. Joyce Juvenile Justice Center on Monday evening. They are each charged with possession of fireworks. The charge is a first-degree misdemeanor with a penalty of up to 180 days in jail and $1,000 fine.
Police arrested Justin Fields, 18, of East Warren Avenue on charges of possession of fireworks and felonious assault. He was booked into the Mahoning County jail pending arraignment later today in municipal court.
The chase started around 7 p.m. Monday when the bus station security guard, Allen Havs, 29, of Niles told police the teenagers ran when he attempted to detain them. The boys, he said, had been igniting fireworks on WRTA property while buses were loading and unloading passengers.
Havs said the bottle rocket purposely aimed at him was thrown by Fields. Havs said the bottle rocket exploded just a foot away from his head.
Police rounded up the boys within blocks of the bus station located on West Federal Street and took them to the police station on West Boardman Street. All had fireworks in their possession, reports show.
Police said that, while at the police station, some of the boys became loud, uncooperative and belligerent.
meade@vindy.com