Sentencing in GM theft

Sentencing in GM theft

WARREN

A former security guard at Generl Motors Lordstown who pleaded guilty to stealing hundreds of Chevrolet and Pontiac car emblems from the plant has been sentenced to five years’ probation. John Lavalliere, 55, of Ridge Road, Vienna, was also ordered Monday to pay restitution of $1,933 to GM and stay away from the plant.

Lavalliere earlier pleaded guilty to theft. The case was heard by Judge Peter Kontos of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court. Lavalliere was one of three charged with taking the nameplates, emblems and other items. Cases in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court were completed earlier against Dennis Bruner, 41, a GM hourly worker, and his wife, Jaime Bruner, 33, both of Wolcott Drive, Boardman.

Charges were dismissed against Jaime Bruner. Dennis Bruner pleaded guilty to receiving stolen property and was placed on five years’ probation, ordered to pay restitution of $5,000 and leave his job at GM.

Attempted robbery

YOUNGSTOWN

Police are looking for a man who tried to rob an East Side man at gunpoint.

The 31-year-old victim was doing work on a McClure Avenue home about 5:30 p.m. Friday when an acquaintance he knows only by first name told him he was going to rob him and pulled out a shotgun. The two men wrestled over the weapon.

Reports say several of the victim’s family members joined in the fight and the would-be thief eventually jumped into a 2004 Chevrolet Impala to escape, leaving a shotgun and broken eyeglasses behind.

The armed man did not take anything from the victim and no one was injured in the fight.

Clothing drive

YOUNGSTOWN

The Youngstown State University Women’s Club will accept donations of clean and contemporary women’s business apparel and money Wednesday and Thursday in Kilcawley Center’s Cochran Room from 7:30 to 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. both days. Clothing should be dry-cleaned and on hangers. Interview-appropriate skirt and pant suits, blouses, jackets, and professional shoes are all accepted.

Since the women’s club first began the Dress for Success Clothing Drive in fall 2007, more than 2,000 pieces of clothing, shoes, purses and jewelry have been collected.

Members of the Students in Fashion and Interiors along with their adviser, Priscilla Gitimu, will assist during the collection days.

Dress for Success supports disadvantaged women who are seeking jobs by providing networking contacts and professional attire. For more information, contact Pat Shively at 330-941-3197 or by email at peshively@ysu.edu.

4 arrests at checkpoint

Youngstown

A weekend OVI checkpoint resulted in two alcohol-related arrests. The Mahoning County OVI Task Force conducted a checkpoint Saturday evening in Youngstown, using 12 officers from participating agencies and three Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers.

A total of 434 vehicles passed through the checkpoint, and officers made four arrests — two OVI and two driving while under suspension.

Citations were issued for the following: two for seat-belt violations, one each for drug paraphernalia, red-light violation, improper display of license plate and possession of dangerous drugs.

The OVI Task Force is a federally funded program and will continue blitzes and checkpoints at various locations in Mahoning County through 2012.

McDonald candidates

McDONALD

A meet-the-candidates’ night for those running for the McDonald Board of Education will be at 7 tonight in the high school auditorium, 600 Iowa Ave. Five people are running for three available seats on the board in next week’s election.

Attempted burglary

new middletown

Police are investigating an attempted burglary and stolen handgun report from two Main Street residents over the weekend.

An unidentified person attempted to break into a cellar door at one residence but was unsuccessful. A second resident reported a .40-caliber semi- automatic handgun and ammunition was stolen from his home.

Earlier this month, police responded to three burglaries where front doors were kicked in and property was taken. Those investigations are also ongoing.

Anyone with information, can call the police department at 330-542-2846 or Crime Stoppers at 330-746-CLUE and remain anonymous.