3 car theft suspects arrested, charged

BOARDMAN -- Three Youngstown men were arraigned Thursday in Mahoning County Court after being arrested in connection with a car theft Tuesday night.
Bryan K. Brown, 34, and Brad E. Walker, 28, were charged with complicity to auto theft. James E. Eiland Jr., 29, was charged with auto theft and possessing criminal tools -- bolt cutters/pliers found on him at the time of the arrest.
Complicity to auto theft and auto theft are felony charges.
Police said the car's owner alerted police when he observed Eiland break the rear driver side window, start the engine and attempt to exit the driveway of the home on Brookfield Avenue. The men then noticed the owner and fled the scene in a van driven by Walker, leaving the owner's car running in the driveway.
Police located the suspects' van traveling northbound on West Boulevard. According to the police report, officers initiated a traffic stop and arrested the men, who later were identified by the victim.
The police report said Brown acted as a lookout, Eiland entered the vehicle and Walker drove the van to and from the scene of the crime.
Their preliminary hearing will be Tuesday morning in Mahoning County Court in Boardman.