METRO DIGEST || Robbery at Pa. bank

Robbery at Pa. bank

NEW CASTLE, PA.

An unidentified man walked into First Merit Bank on Wilmington Road in Neshannock Township late Tuesday morning, handed the teller a note demanding money and saying he had a gun. The teller gave him an unspecified amount of cash and he fled on foot. He is described as white, in his mid-20s, about 6 feet 2 inches tall with a thin to medium build and light facial hair. Anyone with information is asked to contact Neshannock police at 724-656-9300.

Gun charge after shots

YOUNGSTOWN

A 23-year-old city man was charged with improperly handling a firearm in a motor vehicle Tuesday evening. Police on routine patrol on South Avenue near East Boston Avenue about 5 p.m. heard gunshots and went to investigate. They saw a sport utility vehicle driving west on East Avondale Avenue and people outside, looking in that same direction. They stopped the SUV and at first, the driver and only occupant, Dwayne A. Moody Jr., 23, got out of the vehicle and had to be ordered repeatedly to return to the vehicle, according to a police report. Police found a handgun protruding from beneath the driver’s seat and a plastic bag containing a white powder in the center console. Moody was arrested. Field tests on the white powder didn’t indicate it was drugs, but the police report said the substance will be sent to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations for further testing.

Powerstown meeting

YOUNGSTOWN

The Powerstown Neighbors Block Watch will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday at Faith Community Church, 1919 Midlothian Blvd. Councilman John R. Swierz, D-7th, will discuss neighborhood issues.

Facing charges

CAMPBELL

Turner Seabrook, 36, of Arlene Avenue, Boardman, was charged with drug possession after city police stopped him Monday morning for failing to have a front license plate on his SUV. The stop occurred on Wilson Avenue near Ninth Street shortly before 11 a.m. While waiting for Seabrook to produce his license and insurance, the officer smelled the odor of raw marijuana coming from the vehicle. Seabrook consented to a search of his SUV. Police found suspected marijuana in the console, and arrested him. They also confiscated $58 and cited him for the traffic violation. Seabrook posted a $250 bond and is scheduled for court at 9 a.m. Tuesday in Campbell Municipal Court.

Coroner IDs man

WEST MIDDLESEX, PA.

A coroner has released the name of a man killed in a weekend explosion and fire in a garage that also injured two other people. Mercer County Coroner J. Bradley McGonigle III says 43-year-old Thomas Kobielus died from flash-fire burns. Firefighters went to the Shenango Township home shortly after 5:30 p.m. Saturday and found the garage engulfed in flames. Police and the coroner say Kobielus and another man were working on snowmobiles when the explosion occurred. Fire Chief Bill Williams says the other man was taken to the burn unit of a Youngstown hospital, while a 14-year-old was treated and released elsewhere that evening. The cause of the blast is still under investigation.

Fire destroys trailer

BAZETTA

A Tuesday evening fire left a Durst Colebrook Road family homeless, destroying their trailer and causing it to collapse. Firefighters were called to the trailer fire about 5:30 p.m. Family members were able to get out and no one was injured. The blaze caused the trailer to collapse and the American Red Cross was called to secure shelter for the family. The fire rekindled about 7:30 p.m.

Woman charged

AUSTINTOWN

Jamie Henderson, 26, of Barberton was charged Monday with receiving stolen property after Austintown police say she sold a stolen bracelet to a pawn shop. The 14-carat-gold-diamond bracelet, estimated to be worth $7,000, is one of many items taken in a Youngstown burglary, according to a police report. The bracelet was pawned for a $400, with a $24 finance charge Dec. 27. The money went directly to Henderson, according to police. No court date has been set.