METRO DIGEST || Free rides on WRTA buses today

Free rides with WRTA

YOUNGSTOWN

The Western Reserve Transit Authority is offering free rides today on all its fixed bus routes.

“Free 4-All Friday is our way of saying ‘thank you’ for riding with us and also a way to introduce those who’ve never used our services before to the many benefits of using WRTA to get to work, medical appointments, visits with friends and family, and more,” said WRTA Executive Director James Ferraro in a news release.

Riders can take advantage of the free rides for as many times as they want throughout the day until the final bus run.

Felony drug charges

YOUNGSTOWN

A woman who reports said was driving erratically Wednesday evening was arrested on felony drug charges after police found 10 painkillers in her purse and four different bottles of pills.

Officers pulled over a car driven by Ada Cruz, 56, of Pearl Street, about 7:10 p.m. near a Midlothian Boulevard ramp to Interstate 680 after a car she was driving was seen weaving across the South Side roadway before running a red light.

Reports said Cruz appeared dazed and had to be told several times to put her car in park. Reports said she was taking medication for back pain, and in her purse were two pill bottles in her name and two other pill bottles. The pills were found scattered through the four pill bottles and a crack pipe in her purse.

Cruz was taken to the Mahoning County jail on charges of possession of drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Giveaway planned

YOUNGSTOWN

East Side Crime Watch has a food and clothing giveaway from 10 a.m. to noon today. The giveaway will take place at 1001 Oak St., on the corner of Fruit Street. Attendees are asked to bring bags and identification.

Threat with a gun

YOUNGSTOWN

A Lora Avenue man is in the Mahoning County jail on charges of carrying a concealed weapon and aggravated menacing after police responded about 7:25 p.m. Wednesday to a home in the 1000 block of State Street for a report of someone threatening the caller with a gun.

Reports said Deondre Walker, 20, was arrested after he was found in the woods behind a nearby East Side home, and he had a loaded .32-caliber revolver on him.

Police were called to the home by a person who said Walker showed up, demanding things he had in the house and threatening people. The people in the home said they threw what Walker wanted out the door behind the house then called police.

Walker is expected to be arraigned today in municipal court.

Burglary, intimidation

BOARDMAN

Richard Hickson, 42, of Dewey Avenue, Youngstown, is charged with burglary and intimidation after an incident at a Hillman Way apartment building early Thursday, police said.

According to the report, officers were sent to an apartment there for a report that a “suspicious male” was banging on an apartment door. Police reported finding a door leading into the building had a broken glass panel.

Officers reported finding Hickson lying face-down in front of an apartment, with a swollen lip and smelling of alcohol. At one point, police said that Hickson said, “I’m gonna shoot all of you.”

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