Niles man files suit seeking restitution judge ordered

Staff report

WARREN

Michael Nicholas of Lowell Avenue Northeast has filed a lawsuit in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court seeking to recover the $34,180 he says a Niles man owes him in restitution — for stealing guns from him in 2012.

Jared T. Jones, 30, of Niles-Vienna Avenue in Niles, pleaded guilty to grand theft in December 2013 and was sentenced to five years probation and ordered to pay restitution of $36,800 to Nicholas.

On April 11, 2014, Judge W. Wyatt McKay ordered Jones to pay at least $250 per month until the debt is repaid.

The lawsuit says Jones made partial restitution but still owes $34,180.

A police report from the Trumbull County Sheriff’s office says Nicholas contacted police in April 2012 to report that he suspected Jones had stolen a large number of weapons that Nicholas was storing at Nicholas’ daughter’s house on Lowell Avenue.

Jones was dating Nicholas’ granddaughter, Nicholas said.

A sheriff’s detective learned that Jones had sold one of the weapons at Pioneer Sports Supply on state Route 88 in Bristolville and received $200 for it.

The lawsuit is assigned to Judge McKay. The lawsuit was filed by Atty. David Boker.