Three armed burglary suspects arrested


By Billy Ludt

bludt@vindy.com

AUSTINTOWN

Three men suspected in a Beverly Road home invasion early Friday did not make it very far before they were arrested.

Noah Matheny, 21, of New Road, is charged with aggravated burglary, kidnapping and aggravated robbery; Mark Hernandez, 21, of Cambridge Avenue, Youngstown, is charged with complicity to aggravated burglary, complicity to kidnapping charges and complicity to robbery; and Michael Doepker, 24, of North Kimberly Avenue, is charged with aggravated burglary, kidnapping, carrying concealed weapons and tampering with evidence.

Austintown police received a call about 4:30 a.m. of a holdup at the home.

Officers made immediate arrests, following three suspects on foot as they fled the Beverly Road home, police said. They’re searching for a fourth suspect.

Posing as law enforcement, three people approached the Beverly Road home after 4 a.m., armed and carrying duffel bags, and broke in, police said. Police believe one member acted as a getaway driver and waited outside the home.

The residents were tied up and held at gunpoint, but no shots were fired and no one was injured.

Police said the suspects ditched their duffel bags when officers arrived, and items recovered were mostly articles of clothing and shoes.

Mahoning County deputy sheriffs, Ohio State Highway Patrol and township police patrolled the area in search of the remaining suspect. A police dog was at the Beverly Road home at 10:30 a.m. Friday.

The Vindicator’s broadcast partner, 21 WFMJ-TV, reported a tactical vest was found while police searched for suspects, and that police believe an all-terrain vehicle and Mercedes-Benz were used during the incident.