Misuse of 911

Misuse of 911

YOUNGSTOWN

A West Side woman was issued a citation after misusing 911 early Tuesday, when she called police and told dispatchers that shots were fired.

Reports said five cruisers were dispatched to a home in the 100 block of Wesley Avenue about 1:10 a.m. after Breaizia King, 22, called 911 while she was fighting with her sister.

Reports said King told police she told call takers there were shots fired in order to get police to respond faster.

Holiday weekend brings 18 theft cases, leading to 5 arrests

BOARDMAN

Township police handled 18 theft cases over the holiday weekend, resulting in five arrests.

Charged with misdemeanor theft in separate incidents at Walmart are Tyrell Surles, 28, of Youngstown; Austin Shutler, 17, of Wooster; and Matthew Yalch, 20, of Youngstown.

Police also took into custody a 16-year-old female on a juvenile-court pickup order after she purportedly stole from Walmart. The store is not pressing a theft charge.

Charged with felony theft and criminal damaging after being arrested on warrants Friday is Anthony Salata, 41, of Youngstown.

Those charges stem from a July incident in which Salata purportedly stole credit cards and other items from a car at a Barbie Drive home.

Police also are investigating several other theft cases reported Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Official takes dog after posted photo causes complaints

BOARDMAN

A humane agent took custody of a dog after township police received numerous complaints about a social media post. Someone posted a photo in which they were holding a gun – later determined to be a pellet gun – to the dog’s head with a comment saying they would shoot the dog if they got enough “likes.”

Police responded to a Beechwood Drive residence Friday, where they made contact with the individual who reportedly posted the picture to Facebook.

Police determined that the dog was safe and had plenty of food and water. The person – who has not been charged with a crime – reportedly admitted posting the picture, saying it was a joke. The dog was taken into custody, pending an investigation and consultation with the prosecutor’s office.

Jury selection made

WARREN

Jury selection was completed Tuesday in the murder trial of Michael B. Settle, 27, of Sherman Avenue in Niles, charged with killing James R. Levels, 64, of Warren and injuring Lisa Prater, 48, in Prater’s South Street home April 7.

Opening statements and the start of testimony will begin in the courtroom of Judge Peter Kontos of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court at 9:30 a.m. today. The jury has seven women and five men.

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