METRO DIGEST || Traffic stop yields stolen designer clothes

One lane on I-80

Sharon

After a day of lake-effect snow left the surface of Interstate 80 frozen, Pennsylvania State Police were forced to bring the interstate down to one lane here Thursday in order to clear it of ice. Officials said Thursday night it could be a while before the interstate opens completely. The cleanup was occurring at mile marker 7, about three miles east of the Sharon exit.

Designer theft

WARREN

Four New Jersey residents are facing felony charges after Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers seized seven large commercial garbage bags full of stolen merchandise, valued at an estimated $78,000, after a traffic stop Monday on Interstate 80 in Trumbull County.

According to the OSHP, troopers stopped a rented 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan for following too closely on I-80 around 8:31 a.m.

After a patrol drug-sniffing canine alerted to the vehicle, a search revealed the bags of stolen clothing bearing the brand names of Hollister, Victoria’s Secret, Banana Republic, Guess, Ralph Lauren, Abercrombie & Fitch and Express.

The driver, Javier Yanes- Orellana, 36, of Somerset, N.J., and passengers, Carmen Sanchez-Drag, 33, of Hillside, N.J., Jesus Fabian, 29, and Maria Fiorenttini, both of Elizabeth, N.J., were arrested and taken to Trumbull County Jail. All are charged with receiving stolen property, a fourth-degree felony, and possession of criminal tools, a fifth-degree felony. Other charges are pending, the OSHP said.

Foot chase downtown

Youngstown

After a foot chase downtown, police apprehended an 18-year-old Youngstown man they say stole a pair of boots from a store in 20 Federal Plaza on Thursday.

Ajuante Toney, of 42 N. Lake-view, was trying on a pair of boots when he ran out of a store with only one boot on and the other in his hand, according to police reports.

Police chased him on foot until he ran into the parking garage attached to the Voinovich Government Center, the report states.

Police lost him, and when they located him again, he again tried to flee before police arrested him, they said.

He is charged with theft and resisting arrest and is in the Mahoning County jail.

Sparkle downsizing

Youngstown

Sparkle Market on the city’s West Side is downsizing its inventory and changing its name, according to 21 WFMJ-TV, The Vindicator’s broadcast partner. The store, at 1912 Mahoning Ave., is advertising an inventory- reduction sale, WFMJ reports. The move comes as Bottom Dollar discount grocer prepares to open three new stores in the city.