Police arrest man driving without valid license

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — Lack of a tiny light used to illuminate a rear license plate led to the arrest of man who police said continues to drive without a valid license.

When Patrolman Patrick Mulligan pulled a black Jeep Cherokee over on Belle Vista Avenue late Wednesday night for the light, the driver jumped out, threw down his coat and waved his arms wildly in the air.

Why? “Because I got warrants and I ain’t got no license,” Clayton Mayo told the officer.

Mulligan’s check confirmed that Mayo, 31, of Griffith Street was wanted on two traffic warrants.

Records show he failed to appear in Youngstown Municipal Court last June on a driving under suspension charge and failed to appear in Mahoning County Area Court in Austintown last August, also for DUS.

In all, Mayo has seven open suspensions on his license, Mulligan said in his report.

Mayo, when told he was under arrest, ran northbound on Belle Vista and cut through rear yards toward Salt Springs Road, police said. Backup officers showed up and Mayo was caught in a wooded area about one mile away from the traffic stop.

Mayo, charged with resisting arrest and the new and old counts of driving under suspension, was arraigned Thursday in municipal court.

Judge Elizabeth A. Kobly set bond at $7,000 and a pretrial hearing for June 10.

The judge will appoint a lawyer to represent Mayo, who told her he has no job.

Mayo, who remained in jail as of Thursday afternoon, will also have to appear in Austintown court for the traffic charge pending there.