Police probe cases of stolen-vehicle fires

STAFF REPORT

AUSTINTOWN — For the third time in two weeks, a vehicle has been stolen from Austintown and set on fire.

Michelle E. Kaszowski of Kirk Road reported to police Tuesday morning that her white 2004 Ford Explorer had been stolen from a parking lot at her home sometime late Monday night or early Tuesday and was later found burned in Braceville Township.

Kaszowski said she had last seen the car in its parking place at 9 p.m. Monday.

At 2 a.m. Tuesday, Braceville police notified her that her vehicle had been found in the township burned.

At 4:02 a.m. Friday, Austintown police were called to Lanterman Road near Mildred Avenue for a 1999 gold Pontiac on fire.

Officers notified the owner of the car, Joey Seaman of Nantucket Drive, Austintown. Seaman said he was unaware his car was missing but confirmed that it apparently had been taken from his unattached garage sometime overnight along with some tools.

Seaman said the a door to the garage had been pried open.

A woman living on Claridge Drive in the township reported her 2006 Ford Escape had been taken from the driveway of her home May 2 while she was on vacation sometime between April 28 and May 2.

That vehicle was found burned out in North Jackson, said Detective Robert Schaeffer.