Man faces charges in removal of copper pipes

Copper pipes were also taken from a South Side rental.

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — An intruder, detained by maintenance workers when they found him and a large bundle of copper pipes inside a Redondo Road home, will be back in court next Tuesday.

Nathaniel Williams, 55, of Alameda Avenue, was arraigned Tuesday in municipal court, charged with breaking and entering, carrying a concealed weapon (a knife) and drug abuse paraphernalia.

Judge Elizabeth A. Kobly set bond at $55,000 on Tuesday.

The judge, in reviewing Williams’ file, noted that he is on three separate probations to her court and has failed to appear as required. John Marsh, an assistant city prosecutor, said Williams’ record includes 29 warrants issued for his failure to appear in court when scheduled for other cases.

Workers at the Redondo Road home directed police to the basement Monday, pointing to the stack of copper pipes Williams purportedly removed. Entry to the North Side house was gained by breaking out window panes on a rear door and then unlocking the door, reports show.

A rusty knife and push rod, typically used for crack pipes, were found rolled inside a plastic bag that was inside Williams’ pants, police said.

Copper pipes were also reported stolen from the basement of a rental property at 120 W. Florida Ave. on the South Side. A worker said entry was made through a kitchen door. The theft was discovered Monday.

In another metals case, Patricia A. Jones, 58, of Tod Lane was arraigned Tuesday in municipal court on charges of unauthorized removal and criminal trespass. She was released on her own recognizance and will be back in court Aug. 26.

Patrolman Barry Ervin, on his way to a burglary call on Logan Avenue on Monday, was flagged down by a concerned citizen who reported the vacant house at 61 Thornton Ave. was being stripped of its aluminum siding.

Ervin caught up with Jones, who was trying to run away through a rear yard gate, reports show. The officer noted in his report that he has dealt with Jones before related to scrap theft.

A man who had been with Jones managed to slip away but left the van they came in at the scene. The van was towed, and a request made that the detective assigned to the case get a warrant for Jones’ companion.

Elsewhere in the city, a break-in at a downtown construction site at 47 Market St. was reported Monday. A worker for M-A Building and Maintenance told police that stones worth $6,000 were missing. It wasn’t immediately clear if the building material was decorative or paving stones.