Two city men charged with stealing scrap metal from M7 Technologies

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Two city men are charged with misdemeanor theft and trespassing and taken to Mahoning County jail Saturday after the owner of M7 Technologies, 1019 Ohio Works Drive, caught them purportedly stealing about $500 in scrap ball bearings and other metal items.

The owner, Michael Garvey, pulled his vehicle up behind the two men in their minivan and blocked them in until police arrived and provided police with a video showing the men removing the scrap from a bin about 50 feet away from their vehicle.

According to a police report, the men arrested are Carl E. Frease, 55, of Burbank Street, and Jason Dragovich, 35, of Chaney Circle.

When police arrived, several pieces of scrap — most of it large, heavy ball bearings — were on the ground about 6 feet from the back of Dragovich’s van. Other pieces of scrap were inside the van, as well as greasy gloves, and the men had grease on their clothing. The scrap was valued at about $500.

The area is marked with signs saying “no trespassing,” and warning that it is under video surveillance.

Garvey told police that scrap theft has been an ongoing problem at the facility.