Homeowner detains man seen stripping a house

YOUNGSTOWN — A man seen stripping aluminum siding off a house on Edwards Street was detained for police by the owner who lives nearby. Earl K. Watson Jr., 50, of Lakewood Avenue was charged with theft, possession of criminal tools and possession of drug paraphernalia (crack pipe). He was arraigned Monday in municipal court and will be back Oct. 30 for a pretrial hearing. Watson told police on Sunday that he needed a little money and figured the house was vacant and abandoned. Aluminum siding, a tire iron and crack pipe were taken as evidence.