5 indicted in thefts of copper from Austintown homes

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

A Mahoning County grand jury indicted five people in connection with a copper-theft ring in Austintown.

Matthew J. Villers, 26, of Austintown; Michael E. Reese, 24, of Orwell; Kari L. Cunningham, 25, of Youngs-town; Amber Zadunajsky, 24, of Austintown; and Brittany A. Satterfield, 20, of Orwell were indicted Thursday.

Villers was charged with one count of receiving stolen property, two counts of burglary, 13 counts of breaking and entering and two counts of complicity to breaking and entering.

Reese is charged with one count of burglary and three counts of breaking and entering.

Zadunajsky is charged with two counts of complicity to breaking and entering.

Cunningham and Satterfield are charged with one count each of receiving stolen property and two counts each of complicity to breaking and entering.

Austintown police began investigating a rash of copper thefts last summer purportedly committed by the five defendants. Police said the group hit 22 homes between Aug. 25 and late September.

Capt. Bryan Kloss of Austintown police said previously that they were targeting vacant homes, ones with for-sale signs or high grass.

Dates for pre-trial hearings for the defendants are pending.