Niles man charged in Austintown burglary

Staff report

AUSTINTOWN

Township police charged a Niles man for his purported role in a burglary on Forest Hill Drive.

Police arrested Michael Joliff, 28, of Third Street, after they found multiple stolen items on him Monday.

Police were investigating a burglary in the South Wickliffe area when they observed Joliff walking down the street. Police interviewed him because his clothing matched the description of the suspect’s, according to a police report.

Joliff appeared nervous, and when police searched him, they found multiple pieces of jewelry, a paper with names and addresses and $50, the report said.

Joliff argued the jewelry was all his, but one of the ring’s had the name “Carl” imprinted on it. Another ring was a 300 game bowling ring. On the piece of paper he had in his pocket, there was an address for a man named Carl. Police went to the address to speak with the resident of the address, but no one answered.

A few hours later, police were called to the Forest Hill residence for a burglary. The homeowner told police someone gained entry through a window. Once inside, the intruder went through several drawers and a jewelry box.

The victim of the theft described the rings Jolliff had in his possession, as well as a $50 bill as the missing items.

Jolliff was arrested at the Fox Run Apartments.

He was taken to Mahoning County jail. He also was charged with possessing criminal tools. Both of the charges are second-degree felonies. No court date has been set.

Joliff also faces two charges of receiving stolen property in Boardman. No court date has been set for those charges, which stem from an Oct. 16 incident.

In addition, Joliff is being charged with receiving stolen property in Austintown. He has an arraignment before a grand jury judge for that charge at 9 a.m. Tuesday.

In April, Jolliff pawned several pieces of jewelry that belonged to a Poland Township woman who reported them stolen. Jolliff received $255 for the items from Austintown Pawn, but all of the items were valued at $1,605. He was charged with receiving stolen property in July.