Pair cited for being in vacant building

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Two men have dates in municipal court today after police caught them inside the vacant Palace Theater at West Federal and Hazel streets about 9:25 p.m. Friday.

Keith McAleer, 29, of Henn Hyde Road in Cortland, was cited for criminal trespass and disorderly conduct while intoxicated, and Michael V. Cross, 31, of Chester Avenue in Wellsville, was cited for criminal trespass.

An officer working the downtown detail heard the sound of a full can of beer dropping on the sidewalk and saw McAleer on the fire escape of the boarded-up building, police reports said. He went inside, and officers had to go inside themselves to find him in the lobby, reports said. He told police he just wanted to “hang out,” reports said.

Cross was found on the roof drinking beer. He told police he just wanted to see the sunset and the downtown skyline. Reports said a piece of plywood sheeting on the West Federal Street side had been ripped off the building, which has been vacant for years.

Both men were released at the scene with a summons for court today.