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3 to appear on charges in Poland thefts
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Jack Sallaz
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Duane Stamp
POLAND
Three men will be arraigned in Struthers Municipal Court this morning, accused of stealing thousands of dollars worth of jewelry and other items during a string of Poland Township burglaries.
Duane E. Stamp, 48, of Campbell, is charged with six counts of burglary.
Jack A. Sallaz, 37, of Struthers, faces one count of receiving stolen property and one count of complicity to burglary.
Josh Maldonado, 23, of Youngstown, faces three counts of complicity to burglary.
Detectives believe the trio is connected to six of the eight burglaries now under investigation, said Police Chief Brian Goodin. The burglaries took place in the area of Manor, Knollwood and Country Lane.
Stamp was arrested by Boardman police Dec. 6 in a burglary in progress on Annawan about 7 p.m. Reports state the female homeowner was in her bedroom when she heard her two dogs bark and a loud noise. She told police she saw a man, later identified as Stamp, and he shined a flashlight in her face.
Police chased Stamp on several streets before capturing him and charging him with burglary, obstructing official business resisting arrest. Officers also discovered a warrant for him from Poland Township police and Liberty Township police for burglary.
That same day, Poland police arrested Sallaz on charges of receiving stolen property, and the ensuing investigation led to the additional charges filed Tuesday. Maldonado was arrested shortly after that.
Both Stamp and Sallaz have previous burglary arrests, according to court records.
“We go through groups of burglaries every year,” Goodin said. “It really has nothing to do with people who are out of work. They’re not stealing to buy a car or a house. It’s usually drug-related.”
In the Dec. 8 arrest report, police noted that Stamp was suspected of using drugs.
Goodin said two burglary rings have been in operation from October to December. He said the group in court today is alleged to have taken small items, such as jewelry and cash, that are easily carried in pockets.
The other group, which has burglarized homes on New Castle Road and the surrounding area, took televisions, video-game systems and computers. Police are still looking for suspects in that case, Goodin said.
The police chief recommended homeowners leave lights on in the home and always answer the door to ward off potential thieves.
“If you don’t want to come to the door just shout out ‘I’m busy’ or ‘I’m not interested,’” he said. “These guys would go through the back of the house, and sit and watch to see if lights were on or any movement. Then they’d break a window, push in a door and take quick stuff.”
Poland Village Police Chief Russell Beatty said residents also should vary what lights are kept on in the house and to report anything suspicious, such as hearing glass break after dark.
“If you know you’re going to be away, you should hide your valuables, but not in a little safe that makes it easier to carry everything out of the house,” Beatty said.
People should also make sure homeowners or renters insurance is current with everything inventoried, and packages and gifts should not be near windows, according to the National Crime Prevention Council.