2 men indicted in robbery, theft

Staff report

WARREN

The two 19-year-old men accused of stealing a John Deere tractor shovel and using it to damage Niles McKinley High School and the surrounding residential area have been indicted.

Joseph A. Barrickman II of Woodside Lane in Warren Township and Michael J. Butler of 2734 Robbins Ave. Niles, each face four counts of felony vandalism and single counts of felony robbery, felony aggravated theft and misdemeanor criminal damaging.

The robbery and theft charges carry a penalty of up to five years in prison each, the vandalism charge up to 18 months each.

Each man is to be arraigned at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in the courtroom of Judge Andrew Logan of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court.

Police said the two used the tractor to smash several construction trailers at a school construction site at 616 Dragon Drive and then damage a vacant home at 134 Woodland Ave.

The tractor also caused damage to the football scoreboard, a chain-link fence and a residential swimming pool. Police found graffiti painted on walls inside the high school.