Traffic stop leads to multiple charges

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — A traffic violation wound up with two men in the Mahoning County jail and one city police officer slightly injured.

Dontrail Burkes, 19, of East Judson, is charged with carrying a concealed weapon, receiving stolen property and illegal possession of a weapon. He is being held on $105,000 bond.

Joseph Moreland, 27, of Mistletoe Avenue, is charged with assault on a police officer and obstructing official business. He is being held on $80,000 bond.

Shawn Moreland, a 17-year-old living on West Judson, was also charged as a juvenile with fleeing and eluding, carrying a concealed weapon and resisting arrest.

Prosecutors, during arraignments before Judge Robert P. Milich in Youngstown Municipal Court on Tuesday, read lengthy criminal history reports for Burkes and Joseph Moreland.

Burkes’ history as reported to the court includes assault, receiving stolen property, trafficking in drugs, possession of drugs and other crimes. The adult Moreland’s history read in court includes receiving stolen property, possession of criminal tools, theft, falsification, possession of drugs, criminal damaging and domestic violence.

The incident for which the men are now charged began when officers attempted to pull over a silver pickup truck after the driver failed to signal before turning Monday evening.

The driver, reports said, refused to stop — leading officers on a chase through no less than eight South Side streets.

Reports say the truck, with the juvenile driving, stopped on Parkcliffe Avenue near Hillman Street, and all three suspects jumped out of the truck and ran. Burkes, reports said, threw a loaded handgun as he ran from chasing officers.

Burkes and Joseph Moreland, according to police, ran into a home in the 3000 block of Idlewood Avenue, slamming the hand of officer Phil Chance in the door of the home as he tried to enter the house. Officers said they saw Joseph Moreland put a loaded handgun on a table in the house before running up a flight of stairs with Burkes.

Joseph Moreland was taken into custody after a short scuffle with police. Burkes was found on a bed in the upstairs of the home.

Reports say police found guns, ammunition, marijuana and a small amount of cash. Police found a loaded gun magazine, flak jacket and a bulletproof vest inside the truck. The gun police say Burkes threw while running was determined to be stolen.