Grand jury to get theft case

Staff report

struthers

A woman who is charged with three instances of theft by deception had her case bound over to a Mahoning County grand jury Thursday.

Justine Hennon, 41, is charged with taking small amounts of money from Edward Macejko, 86, a neighbor of hers on Fifth Street.

Struthers Detective Jeff Pantall said Hennon asked Macejko for money April 22 and May 1 and 5. He said that even though the amounts were small at $10 and $20, the offenses are felonies because Macejko is elderly.

Pantall said police believe Hennon went to Macejko’s apartment sometime during the evening of May 5 to ask him for money.

The next morning, a daughter who came to the apartment to take him to the bank found him disheveled and sick. His apartment appeared ransacked.

Macejko told family members he’d been beaten and that credit cards, medication and cash were missing.

He suffered a heart attack and was taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center.

Pantall said he determined a week later, after speaking to a doctor who saw Macejko at St. Elizabeth’s, that there was no medical evidence to suggest a beating had taken place.

Hennon remained at the Mahoning County jail Friday. Her bond was set at $55,000. She must pay $5,000, or 10 percent, to be released on bail.