Caught after 9 years

Caught after 9 years
YOUNGSTOWN -- Nine years ago, Abdullah C. Fareed was supposed to be sentenced in municipal court for driving without a valid license and no insurance. He didn't show, and warrants were issued for his arrest by then-Judge Louis K. Levy on Aug. 14, 1996.
Tuesday, police found Fareed, 32, of Verona Avenue on Augusta Street and charged him with having an open container of alcoholic beverage. A check with the index operator then revealed the old warrants. At arraignment Wednesday, he was released on his own recognizance. Sentencing on the old charges is set for Oct. 13 and trial on the new charge is set for Sept. 21.
2 arrested on East Side
YOUNGSTOWN -- Two men were arrested Tuesday when the Street Crimes Unit, in response to drug activity complaints, checked out the area of Bowman Street and Nelson Avenue on the East Side. Christopher Brooks, 20, of Cleveland Street was pulled over when police noticed his car had no front license plate. A loaded .32-caliber handgun was found between the front seats and 12 .38-caliber bullets were found in his front pocket, reports show. Brooks was charged with carrying a concealed weapon and driving under suspension. Bond was set Wednesday at $9,500, and he will be back in municipal court Sept. 14.
Charles E. Cole, 19, of Cornell Street was caught near Jacobs Road after a foot chase. Police said they saw him toss a bag along the way that turned out to contain drugs. Cole was charged with possession of crack and possession of marijuana. His bond is $2,500 and he will be back in court Sept. 19.
Gun, stolen car charge
YOUNGSTOWN -- Edward Thomas, who police say was driving an Oldsmobile Alero reported stolen from Struthers, was arrested late Tuesday on charges of receiving stolen property and mishandling a firearm in a motor vehicle. Police said Thomas, 21, of East Warren Avenue jumped out of the car on West Warren Avenue and ran. A loaded .40-caliber handgun was found on the front passenger seat.
Thomas was later spotted at a drive-through on East Midlothian Boulevard. His bond is $70,000 and he will be back in court Sept. 14.
Elderly man robbed
YOUNGSTOWN -- An 83-year-old South Avenue man told police he was punched in the face and body and robbed of his wallet in his driveway around 10:20 p.m. Tuesday. The victim said he got out of his car and started walking toward his residence in the 3000 block when he was attacked by a man wearing dark clothing who came from around a corner. The suspect emptied the elderly man's pockets and then fled, police said.
Library upgrades
WARREN -- Parts of the security camera system at the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library, 444 Mahoning Ave. N.W., have been upgraded. Six cameras positioned outside the main library have been replaced with newer, color equipment.
The camera signals now feed into a digital recorder capable of making a CD of recorded activities. The Friends of the Warren Library donated half the $5,600 purchase price of the upgrade. The new recorder offers sharper images than the previous system, making it easier to visually identify individuals. Plans call for the gradual replacement of cameras inside the building as funds become available. All public areas of the library, inside and outside, are monitored via a remote monitoring system.
Gun locks handed out
COLUMBIANA -- Columbiana Police Explorer Post will hand out free cable-style gunlocks during the Columbiana Street Fair, which began today and continues through Saturday. The locks will be available in front of the police headquarters on the square while supplies last.
Pa. Route 318 closing
WEST MIDDLESEX, Pa. -- Pa. Route 318 (Mercer-West Middlesex Road) in Shenango Township will be closed to traffic between Pa. Route 718 (Sieg Hill) and the Ohio state line from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Sept. 16, weather permitting.
Mayoral forum
YOUNGSTOWN -- PBS Channels 45 and 49 will air a live 90-minute forum with the six Youngstown mayoral candidates at 8 p.m. Sept. 22. It will be simulcast on public radio station, WYSU 88.9 FM. The forum features a panel of local journalists asking questions of the candidates about the city and the Youngstown 2010 revitalization program.