METRO DIGEST || Puppies missing

Puppies missing

YOUNGSTOWN

A South Side woman returned home from work Thursday night to find her Palmer Avenue home ransacked and four pit bull mix puppies missing.

Gina Marie Webb made a Face-book posting asking for help finding her dogs and offering a $2,500 reward.

In addition to the missing dogs, her Christmas tree was knocked over, food was thrown out of her refrigerator and two TVs were missing,

Webb filed a police report early Friday morning.

Bank robbery suspect

Liberty

Michael Scott Williams, 36, was arrested on charges of robbery, fleeing and eluding, receiving stolen property in connection with a robbery at the PNC Bank on Belmont Avenue. Liberty detective Ray Buhala said Williams, who appeared to be unarmed, gave a note to the teller Friday requesting money, and was given an undetermined amount. He then drove from the bank in a blue Infiniti, which was later revealed to be stolen from the Hampton Inn on Belmont Avenue. A witness got the license plate number and provided it to police, who alerted surrounding departments to the car, Buhala said. A Warren police officer observed the suspect’s car in the city and followed him. The chase ended in Niles. Williams ditched the car on Madison Street and ran to a house on John Street, where he was arrested by Niles police. Niles police said Dylan Hanger, 26, who was at the house, was charged with obstruction of justice.

Wreck investigation

SMITH

The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Canfield Post is investigating a serious-injury crash involving two vehicles on Courtney Road at 12th Street on Thursday, according to a patrol news release.

The patrol reported a juvenile driving a Jeep Cherokee “failed to yield from a stop sign” and was struck by a tractor-trailer. Both vehicles traveled off the roadway and struck a ditch.

The Jeep driver was taken to St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital via medical helicopter, according to the news release. The other driver was treated at the scene. Smith Township police assisted.

Not-guilty plea

WARREN

A not-guilty plea was entered Friday in Warren Municipal Court to a rape charge filed against Martise C. Fortson, 43, of Southern Boulevard Northwest. Bond of $100,000 was set.

Fortson was booked into the Trumbull County jail Thursday afternoon after Warren police conducted an investigation and took him into custody.

A Warren police report says Fortson is accused of raping a girl, age 7, Nov. 1, at a home on Hamilton Street Southwest.

The report says a detective responded to Trumbull County Children Services on Thursday to investigate an allegation and arrested Fortson the same day at that location.

If convicted, Fortson could get a life prison sentence.

Two men sentenced

YOUNGSTOWN

Two Trumbull County men received sentences in federal court for stealing an Army Humvee from an Ohio National Guard armory.

Austin Bollinger, 22, of Masury received 30 days in federal prison and three years’ supervised release for theft of government property and receiving stolen government property.

The first 11 months of supervised release will be under house arrest.

Daniel Thompson, 22, of Girard received three years’ probation for receiving stolen government property with the first six months under house arrest.

The two must also pay the U.S. government $66,640 in restitution.

On March 19, Bollinger took the Humvee from the armory in Stow, and the two concealed it until March 24, authorities said.

Walmart items stolen

AUSTINTOWN

A Walmart employee was pinned against a door by a man driving a mobility scooter who is accused of stealing items from the store late Thursday.

He was described as an older white man, with a red jacket and blue jeans, according to the report.

The employee said she watched the man conceal blankets, DVDs, groceries and a snowman decoration and drive out of the store, according to the report, and she confronted the man, who agreed to come back into Walmart.

Once inside, the man began yelling, “you can’t detain me,” and drove the scooter into the employee, according to the report. The stolen items cost in excess of $147, the report said.

School-supply drive

United Way of Trumbull County is having its annual second semester school supply drive begins today and runs until Jan. 8.

School supplies can be both purchased and donated in collection bins found throughout several Dollar General stores in Trumbull County. Items needed include spiral notebooks, loose leaf paper, 3-ring binders, pocket and pronged folders, and No. 2 pencils.

The school supplies will be distributed to K-12 students before the second semester with the help of several of United Way’s partner agencies.

For a complete list of participating Dollar General stores, visit the United Way website at www.unitedwaytrumbull.org. Monetary donations can also be made by mailing a check or money order to United Way of Trumbull County, c/o School Supplies, 3601 Youngstown Road, SE, Warren, OH 44484.

Suspected overdose

YOUNGSTOWN

Police arrested a New Castle, Pa., man who passed out behind the wheel Wednesday afternoon of a suspected overdose. At 3:31 p.m., police noticed a car driving around a car stopped at the intersection of Ohio Avenue and Broadway on the North Side, according to a report. Police found Brian Grebenz, 43, behind the wheel with two used syringes on the passenger seat and exhibiting signs of an overdose. Paramedics treated Grebenz, who faces a charge of driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Police also found a piece of paper with suspected heroin residue inside the car, the report said.

Surplus food/clothing

Temple Emmanuel Seventh-day Adventist Church, 108 W. Indianola Ave., Youngstown. Food and clothing, 1 to 2 p.m. Sunday. Recipients must bring identification.

Food-distribution notices are to be submitted by 3 p.m. the day before they are to be published.