Scam warning

Scam warning

WARREN

The Trumbull County Sheriff’s Office is warning store operators and financial institutions to beware of a scam involving fake checks that appear to be written on an account belonging to the sheriff’s office.

Tom Stewart, chief deputy, said at least 10 checks totaling about $6,000 have been paid out at a pawn shop in Austintown and stores and banks in Mahoning County. He said the checks have showed up over about the last three weeks.

Checks are written to Trumbull jail inmates when they leave for money on their commissary accounts, but apparently there are people copying the checks and cashing them, Stewart said.

The checks are written on a Huntington Bank account, and that bank has a way to determine whether the checks are legitimate, Stewart said. Many of the checks were for about $1,200.

Sentenced to 60 days

YOUNGSTOWN

A man who was arrested Oct. 2 after he was caught shoplifting a penis pump, several adult magazines and DVDs from a Market Street adult store was sentenced Wednesday to 60 days in Mahoning County jail.

Judge Elizabeth Kobly of municipal court gave Todd Thornton, 47, credit for 17 days served. He was found guilty after pleading no contest to charges of theft and carrying a concealed weapon.

Reports said Thornton had brass knuckles on him when he was caught by police just after they were called to the store for a report of a shoplifter.

Home shot 26 times

YOUNGSTOWN

Police said no one was injured after someone fired 26 shots about 9:45 p.m. Tuesday at a South Side home in the 900 block of East Boston Avenue. Reports said a man and woman told police they were watching television when they heard gunfire. Officers said the house was hit 26 times.

Video at the home showed two men approach the home from the corner of East Boston and Zedaker avenues and fire several shots at the home before running away, reports said. Police found 10 spent 7.62 mm rounds in the street.

Library closed today

YOUNGSTOWN

The main public library, 305 Wick Ave., will be closed today to prepare for today’s 6 p.m. Literary Society fundraising event there, which will feature best-selling author C.J. Box.

Truck crash

GIRARD

A truck crashed into a Burger King restaurant on South State Street about 7:45 a.m. Wednesday.

Before hitting the building, the truck first struck a sign, a fire hydrant and a brick wall. Police believe the driver, who was transported to St. Joseph Warren Hospital, was suffering from a medical episode at the time of the crash. The driver’s name and age were not released by police.

Free fitness classes

NILES

Black Boxx Spinning, 5878 Youngstown-Warren Road, is offering free fitness classes from 10 a.m. until noon Sunday to raise breast-cancer awareness.

Participants are encouraged to wear pink and can choose from a spin class or a cross-fit class. Donations will be accepted. All proceeds benefit the Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center in Youngstown.

Special edition pink Train Station T-shirts will be available for purchase during the event as well as a basket raffle, prizes and refreshments. For information and registration, call 330-233-8751 or email info@blackboxxsystems.com.

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