Probe into burglaries in Boardman continues

Staff report

BOARDMAN

Police are continuing to investigate a string of breaking-and-entering cases on Market Street.

An officer on patrol about 3:20 a.m. Wednesday saw that the drive-through window of Panda Garden, 5122 Market St., was smashed and two cash-register drawers removed. Police said the owner found about $20 in coins were missing and told officers the business last was seen secure at 8:20 p.m. Tuesday.

Detectives said the case could be related to three nearby break-ins found by police about 11 p.m. Tuesday. At Aries Salon & Gallery, 5086 Market St., a large rock was thrown through the door window; a front window was smashed at Burkland Flowers, 5102 Market St., and a storage space in the rear of that plaza also had its door window broken. Police did question a person of interest near the scene, but no arrests have been made.

In January, seven similar breaking-and-entering cases were reported, many on Market Street. Police have a suspect and said they are still waiting for evidence from those cases to be processed at the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation.