METRO DIGEST || Grandma evades telephone scam

Grandma evades telephone scam

BOARDMAN

A Boardman woman says she was nearly conned into giving $2,800 to someone claiming to be her grandson. The woman told police she received a call Wednesday from a man who said he needed $2,800 so he could get out of jail in Santiago, Chile. The caller went on to tell the woman he was arrested for drug possession.

The woman told police she really thought her grandson was in trouble when the caller handed the phone to another man who claimed to be with the American Embassy. He told the woman she needed to go to a Western Union for the money order.

She finally hung up the phone and found out her grandson was safe with family in Chicago. Police advised the woman to contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office about the scam.

Touch a Truck event Saturday in Poland

POLAND

The Rich Center for Autism’s annual “Touch A Truck” event, a part of Celebrate Poland weekend activities, is 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in the field off of Cortland Avenue behind Poland Village Hall.

Large construction, utility and public transportation vehicles, the Camelot Lanes Bowling Bus, the Humility of Mary Health Partners Mobile Dental “Smile Van,” and Akron Children’s Hospital’s Mobile Care Unit will be on hand for looking at, touching, climbing on, and sitting in.

The free event, sponsored by Farmer’s National Bank and Sweeney Chevrolet, is open to all families and children, said Leah Wilson, Rich Center events coordinator.

The Rich Center, located at Youngstown State University, currently serves 80 children, all on the autism spectrum, a neurological disorder.

Man charged with theft of 7 PS3 games

BOARDMAN

A Boardman man was charged with theft after police say he was caught Wednesday night trying to steal seven Playstation 3 video games worth nearly $250 from Kmart on U.S. Route 224.

Richard P. Chacone, 32, of Brookwood Road was seen on video surveillance, according to a report.

Boardman police were dispatched just after 7 p.m. as Chacone was being detained by an employee of the store’s loss prevention office. Chacone was issued a summons to appear in Mahoning County Area Court here at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

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