US Marshals, Austintown cops arrest Ariz. fugitive offering help to Boys&Girls Club

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

U.S. marshals here arrested a man wanted out of Arizona on multiple charges of sex offenses, including voyeurism, after he tried to befriend officials at the Boys & Girls Club of Youngstown.

The U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force arrested James Petty, 41, Friday night at the Comfort Inn on Clarkins Drive in Austintown after breaking down the door to his room to gain entrance.

The man first became known to authorities after showing up at the Boys & Girls Club of Youngstown, 2105 Oak Hill Ave., on Wednesday night, offering to do charity remodeling work. As part of that offer, he also wrote a $10,000 donation check to the club on the spot.

The surprising generosity was suspicious to club officials, who immediately began researching before doing anything with the check or his work offer, explained club Executive Director Germaine McAlpine.

Read more about the situation in Saturday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.