Grand jury indicts repeat offender

Staff report

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 July 10.

Direnzo and those who were indicted will be arraigned July 28 before Common Pleas Court Judge Maureen Sweeney.

Rory Stephenson, 33, Roslyn Avenue, trafficking in marijuana and possession of drugs with forfeiture specifications.

Lori Reese, 28, Lawnview Avenue, Niles, and John Reeder, 20, West Woodland Avenue, Niles, possession of heroin with forfeiture specifications, two counts of possessing drug-abuse instruments and illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia.

Michelle Montmore, 43, Highlawn Avenue, possession of cocaine and aggravated possession of drugs.

Brielan Wallace, 52, Monroe Street, Campbell, possession of cocaine.

Matthew Leister, 34, Line Way, Turtle Creek, Pa., aggravated possession of drugs, possession of drugs and two counts of operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Antonio Wright, 27, East Avondale Avenue and Bryant T. Toney, 24, of Parkcliffe Avenue, tampering with evidence with forfeiture specifications, carrying concealed weapons and possession of heroin with forfeiture specifications.

Curtis Daye Jr., 25, Hudson Avenue, being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of cocaine.

Tyresha Little, 33, West Earle Avenue, possession of heroin, possession of a drug abuse instrument and illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jermaine Bunn, 53, Stone Mountain, Ga., improperly handling a firearm in a motor vehicle.

Bernard Merchant, 43, Sherwood Avenue, failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer, being a felon in possession of a firearm and OVI.

Chase Alexander McKinney, 28, Rhoda Avenue, identity fraud.

Melanie King, 28, South Hazelwood Avenue, tampering with evidence, possessing drug-abuse instruments and illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia.

Michael J. Mularchik, 52, Southern Boulevard, domestic violence.

Jacie Palumbo, 32, Warren-Sharon Road, Vienna, theft.

Andrew L. Freed, 30, Ranier Trail, tampering with evidence, possession of heroin, possessing drug-abuse instruments and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Kenneth Mazurkiewicz, 24, Illinois Avenue, McDonald, possession of cocaine and two counts of OVI.

Brandon Hasley, 22, Oak Hill Avenue, tampering with evidence, possession of heroin and possession of cocaine.

Ronell Fort, 45, Williamson Avenue, possession of criminal tools and breaking and entering.