Falls police stop rumored retaliatory gunplay

NEWTON FALLS — Police Chief John Kuivila says he believes the arrest of three Newton Falls High School students Wednesday night probably averted retaliation gunfire from occurring in Warren.

Eight Newton Falls officers spent nine hours starting at 7 p.m. Wednesday tracking down leads to determine whether rumors were true that several Newton Falls teens were planning retaliation against Warren teens for firing gunshots into the East River Gardens neighborhood late Tuesday.

Police eventually arrested Timothy Bates II, 18, of Columbia Avenue; Derrin L. Lough, 18, of Mahoning Court; and a juvenile; and charged all three with stealing guns from Bates’ father.

Kuivila said police spared no effort to find the guns after hearing that they were going to be used to return fire on Warren teens that had allegedly fired at Lough’s house on Tuesday.

Three of the four guns were recovered during the investigation, Kuivila said.

“Most importantly the guns are off the street,” the chief said, adding that he thinks the department’s swift action probably prevented retaliation even though one gun has not been found.

read more in Friday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com