Hearing set in gun-theft case

Staff report

POLAND

A New Middletown man accused of stealing several guns from a Poland Township house will be back in Struthers Municipal Court for a preliminary hearing Friday.

Nicholas J. Drajic Jr., 52, of New Middletown, turned himself in on a felony burglary warrant last Friday. He did not enter a plea at his Friday arraignment.

Police said they believe Drajic broke into a house in the 4000 block of Center Road on Feb. 24 and took a shotgun, rifle and pellet rifle.

Police Chief Brian Goodin said the owner of the guns saw his stolen weapons listed in an advertisement for a local auction house and then contacted the auctioneer, who called police.

In March 2011, township police arrested Drajic in Struthers on charges of theft and criminal trespassing.