Man pleads innocent in burglary case

Staff report

NILES

Keith A. Sweitzer, 29, of North Chestnut Street, pleaded innocent Wednesday in Niles Municipal Court to aggravated burglary. He’s accused of breaking into a home on Nancy Street on Tuesday morning and tying up the 84-year-old woman living there.

Sweitzer turned himself in to Warren police early Wednesday and was transported to Niles.

The victim told police Sweitzer threatened her with a long knife and wanted pills or money. He tied her up with a telephone cord.

It took four hours for the woman to free herself, walk across the street to the neighbor’s house and call 911.

The woman knew Sweitzer because he had done yard work at the woman’s home, said Detective Dan Adkins of the Niles Police Department.

Police said Sweitzer broke into the home by busting out the glass on the side door.

Sweitzer faces possible additional charges, including a parole violation, police said.

If convicted of the aggravated burglary, Sweitzer could get 10 years in prison.