Mahoning County grand jury indicts repeat offender

YOUNGSTOWN — A man taken into custody for a burglary earlier this week – who has been labeled a “career criminal” by police in the past – was indicted Thursday on several charges by a Mahoning County grand jury.

Steven Direnzo, 47, of Lightner Place in Poland, was indicted on charges of burglary, failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer and endangering children.

Direnzo has a criminal record stretching back to 1997 and is on probation from Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

Police and U.S. Marshals tried to arrest Direnzo on a burglary warrant and parole violation about 5:45 p.m. Monday at his home in the 5000 block of Lightner Place. Reports said he drove away at high speed and almost hit two police vehicles before hitting a curb at Oles Avenue. He then ran away from the car and left his 4-year-old grandchild inside. He eventually was caught.

Direnzo is charged with breaking into a home on July 10.

For the complete story, read Saturday's Vindicator and Vindy.com