HAZARDOUS WASTE FACILITY Officials praise police for arrests after construction-site break-in

Patrolman Manny Nites has been moved to intensive care with internal injuries.
WARREN -- Mayor Michael O'Brien and Safety-Service Director Doug Franklin lauded the intensive and persistent police work that led to capture of six people after a break-in Tuesday at a county-owned construction site.
They said several police officers slogged for two hours at night through woods and streams, in the winter cold, chasing the suspects on foot. Patrolman Manny Nites suffered internal injuries in a 20-foot fall while struggling to make an arrest. He has been moved to intensive care at Forum Health Trumbull Memorial Hospital.
Although some broadcast reports had one suspect complaining about police conduct, Franklin said he has received no formal complaints -- and that they would be unfounded.
"Everything was done, law enforcement-wise, textbook," O'Brien said.
Franklin said there was use of force by police, and also resistance by those being arrested. "Whether it's excessive use of force, that's subjective," he said.
The chase
The events began as Lt. Tim Hughes was patrolling near Trumbull County's $1.65 million household hazardous waste facility at 3159 Enterprise Drive. At 12:43 a.m. he saw two men walk around the corner of the building, then run toward the highway.
A police dog and several officers with flashlights tracked them for about two hours to 4282 Eagle Creek, where people were found in a garage, and a search began.
Nites and Brett L. Hemberger, 23, of 180 North River Road, Warren, were injured after a struggle in a crawl space and a fall through a ceiling.
"The officer was being assaulted by the suspect," O'Brien stressed. "The suspects were apprehended in the course of criminal conduct ... and were uncooperative."
Franklin said he visited both Nites and Hemberger at the hospital. Franklin said Hemberger is under guard but asked about Nites' condition.
"Both of them looked in pretty bad shape," Franklin noted.
Hemberger faces charges of breaking and entering, resisting arrest and assault on a peace officer. Also charged are:
UJason A. Mills, 21, of 5707 Hall Road, Andover, breaking and entering, resisting arrest and falsification.
UArthur E. Tilton Jr., 40, 4882 Eagle Creek Road, Leavittsburg, obstructing justice.
UJohn N. Adams, 20, of 590 Fairfield N.E., Warren, obstructing justice.
UMeghan A. Collins, 18, of 38 Evans St., Niles, obstructing justice.
UMark Mills, 23, of 4471 Cherry St., Newton Falls, obstructing justice.