Call from alert neighbor enables police to catch burglary suspect

By John W. Goodwin Jr.

YOUNGSTOWN — One man is in Mahoning County jail on felony charges after a timely call to police by West Side residents led to his arrest in a home invasion.

Police charged Cameron Wells, 27, of West Marion Avenue, with aggravated burglary and felony possession of drugs.

He appeared via video arraignment Thursday before Judge Elizabeth Kobly of Youngstown Municipal Court.

Prosecutors told the judge Wells previously has been arrested for domestic violence and assault. Judge Kobly set bond at $25,000 on the aggravated-burglary charge and $10,000 on the charge of possession of drugs.

According to police, a 46-year-old Wesley Avenue man was watching television at his West Side home Wednesday when he heard two loud, banging noises coming from his neighbor’s home.

The man looked out his window to see a Dodge van blocking his driveway. He also could see the side door to a neighbor’s house standing wide open.

The van driver saw the concerned neighbor looking and slowly drove away from the house.

The man called 911 and went outside to inspect the open door at his neighbor’s home but was met at the door by Wells trying to leave the house with two lock boxes. Police said Wells ran back into the house.

The man remained on the phone with the police dispatcher, telling the dispatcher one of the burglary suspects was still inside the home.

Seconds later, Wells ran from the house and was picked up by the same van that had been parked outside the dwelling.

Police located the van parked in the driveway of a Bouquet Avenue home, also on the West Side.

Neighbors told officers the van had parked in the driveway only moments before police arrived and its occupants ran into the house.

Police ordered anyone inside the house to come out but did not receive any response.

After about 45 minutes, officers kicked in the front door, which had been barricaded with a large television, and entered the home.

Wells was found hiding inside the house with $540 along with suspected marijuana and suspected cocaine packaged for sale.

There were two other individuals in the house with Wells. They were questioned and released by police.

Wells is due back in court at 10 a.m. Thursday.

jgoodwin@vindy.com