MAHONING COUNTY Man gets probation for damaging buses

The Struthers man is making his restitution payment.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Judge Jack M. Durkin of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court placed a Struthers man on five years' probation for disrupting public services at Struthers schools in January 2004.
Lawrence Conzett, 21, of Sexton Street, was indicted in March 2004 on charges of vandalism and disrupting public services after police accused him of cutting the brake, heating and transmission lines on several Struthers school buses and slashing their tires.
In a plea-bargain deal last month, the vandalism charge was dismissed and Conzett pleaded guilty to the disruption charge.
'Sincere' apology
At his sentencing hearing Friday, Judge Durkin said Conzett "was extremely remorseful and sincere" in his apology. The judge could have sentenced Conzett to a maximum of 18 months in prison.
The judge also ordered Conzett to make restitution to the school district of $11,738. The restitution amount originally was more than $13,000. The judge said Conzett has been working two jobs to make the payments.
In March 2004, Judge James Lanzo of Struthers Municipal Court suspended jail time after finding Conzett guilty of criminal damaging and trespassing tied to the damage of the school property and ordered Conzett to make restitution.
Conzett was arrested Jan. 29, 2004, after police spotted him running from the school district's Garfield Street bus terminal.
They found a pair of wire-cutters in his pants pocket and followed his footprints in the snow to the bus lot where a section of fence had been cut.
Police also found fresh footprints in the snow under several buses.