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Marshals catch wanted man at his birthday party in Youngstown
By Joe Gorman
YOUNGSTOWN
Even though Anthony Mascarella was wanted on four felony warrants since May 2015, that did not stop him Tuesday from having a birthday party and also celebrating the release of his new rap CD.
The only problem he had came from some unwanted guests: police and members of the U.S. marshals fugitive squad, who crashed the party.
Mascarella, 29, of Datson Avenue, was taken into custody about 6 p.m. at the Youngstown Hitsville Studio, 1804 Oak St.
Reports said U.S. marshals looking for Mascarella knew he would be at the party, surrounded the building and arrested him.
As marshals and police closed in, reports said Mascarella took a loaded .40-caliber pistol out of his pockets and threw it at the foot a small child. Police took the gun.
Reports said a records check revealed the gun had been stolen Sept. 2 in Youngstown.
Mascarella had 24 pills on him as well as two bags of suspected marijuana and a large amount of cash later to be determined $6,534.
Mascarella was turned over to Columbiana County authorities. City prosecutors added weapons and drug charges for his arrest Tuesday in Youngstown.
Besides his birthday Mascarella was also celebrating the release of his new rap album, “King Duke.”
Deputy U.S. Marshal Dan DeVille, in charge of the fugitive squad, said marshals have been looking for Mascarella for a long time and he had continued performing while he was on the run.
“He is a pretty good rapper,” DeVille said.
DeVille said they had heard months ago that Mascarella might show up at the Hitsville studio, and they have been checking it regularly. He also said the party had been planned weeks before and it had been on their radar, especially because it was well known in the neighborhood.
“It really boiled down to people on the street talking about Hitsville,” DeVille said.