Police probe various thefts

Police said thieves have been breaking windows to gain access to vehicles.
By SARAH POULTON
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
AUSTINTOWN -- Police are investigating three thefts from vehicles and an auto theft, all of which occurred between 6:20 p.m. Wednesday and 3:55 p.m. Thursday.
Police arrested James L. Marshall, 39, whom they say is homeless, at 5:50 p.m. Thursday outside Cosmo's Tavern, 1722 S. Raccoon Road. Police said he is suspected of breaking into a vehicle parked in the west lot of Wedgewood Lanes.
Police report that Marshall removed a black leather travel bag containing multiple credit cards and two prescriptions for controlled substances, OxyContin and Celebrex, from the vehicle between 3:55 and 4:20 p.m. Thursday. The victim's car may have been left unlocked, police said.
The bartender at Cosmo's Tavern reported Marshall was using the car owner's credit card to complete two transactions.
In addition to the two transactions at Cosmo's Tavern, police said the victim reported that he was contacted by his credit card company, and his card was also used at the Shell gas station, 1704 N. Raccoon Road, to purchase beer and automotive supplies.
Marshall was charged with receiving stolen property and three counts of forgery. He is being held at the Mahoning County Justice Center pending arraignment Wednesday morning.
Other thefts
Two other thefts from vehicles are under investigation.
Between 11 p.m. Wednesday and 9:30 a.m. Thursday, someone smashed out the passenger door window of a 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier parked in a parking lot at 4537 Woodhurst Blvd., police said.
Police said a Pioneer AM/FM CD player was taken from the dashboard; access to the trunk failed. Besides the door window, police said the trunk lock and dashboard were damaged.
Another theft from a vehicle occurred between 12:05 and 7 a.m. Thursday in the driveway at 6674 New Road. Police said someone got into a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer and stole eight CDs and a black leather day planner containing three credit cards. The vehicle's doors were not locked, police said.
Police are still searching for someone responsible in an auto theft that occurred between 6:20 p.m. Wednesday and 9 a.m. Thursday from Alpine Motors, 220 S. Meridian Road. The owner of Alpine Motors reported that someone gained entry to a 1997 Chevrolet S-10 by breaking out the driver's side door window and drove off.
Police have no suspects in any of the three episodes.
Detective Sgt. Doug Scharsu said vehicle break-ins are a universal problem in communities. "We get our thefts from autos," he said. "You catch them, then you get some more."
spoulton@vindy.com