Traffic swoop leads to arrests

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Police netted 13 arrests, a gun and drugs during an eight-hour span.

By PATRICIA MEADE

VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER

YOUNGSTOWN — Drivers who missed or ignored warnings about a 30-day crackdown on minor traffic violations are getting some face-to-face time with police.

A check by The Vindicator of police reports from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday found 13 arrests. The traffic interdiction launched by Mayor Jay Williams turned up a gun, drugs and fugitives wanted on outstanding warrants.

The mayor announced the zero-tolerance policy after a woman and three men were found shot to death inside 548 W. Evergreen Ave. late Monday. City Prosecutor Jay Macejko said the idea is to make it "too hot" for drivers transporting guns and drugs.

Arrests

Here's a look at the arrests Thursday and what police said happened:

Rolanda O. Tucker, 32, of West Glenaven Avenue, was stopped at 3:10 p.m. on West Evergreen Avenue when members of the Street Crimes Unit noticed that dirt obscured the temporary license plate on her car. A check revealed that she was driving under suspension. She was issued a summons and released.

Alfred Hall, 25, of Almyra Avenue, was charged with driving under suspension at the scene of a crash at 4:30 p.m. at Indianola and Idlewood avenues. Police said Hall is under suspension until 2009 for failure to have insurance.

Jovon Simmons Jr., 22, of East Lucius Avenue, was charged with driving under suspension, possession of marijuana, obstructing official business and fleeing and eluding. He also was served with three outstanding warrants for failure to appear in municipal court on traffic charges. Patrolman Rick Baldwin spotted Simmons driving without illuminated headlights on Erie Street around 6 p.m. The car accelerated to avoid police and pulled into a driveway in the 20 block of East Evergreen Avenue, where Simmons ran into the house. Baldwin and Detective Sgt. John Payne forced the door open and pursued Simmons to the basement, where he dropped two bags of marijuana into a toilet.

Steven N. Cole, 27, of Westminster Drive, Austintown, was in the house where Simmons was arrested. A records check revealed that Cole was wanted on a warrant (driving under suspension) out of Austintown. After a methadone pill was found in his pocket, a charge of possession of a dangerous drug was added.

John E. Carlon, 63, of Hunters Glen, Boardman, was pulled over around 8:15 p.m. when he failed to signal a turn onto West Evergreen Avenue. Patrolwoman Kelly Lamb found an open can of beer on the front seat and smelled a slight odor of alcohol on Carlon. Lamb also discovered that Carlon was driving under an OVI, operating vehicle impaired, suspension. He was charged with driving under suspension and consumption in a motor vehicle. He was released at the scene to be transported to a hospital after saying he wanted to go.

Woody E. McMullen, 31, of West Warren Avenue, was stopped around 8:25 p.m. when he failed to signal a turn onto Hillman Street. Members of the Street Crimes Unit learned that Reynolds had eight open driving suspensions and was wanted on several outstanding warrants. A large rock of crack cocaine and $226 were found in his pocket and $750 in the locked glove box. McMullen was charged with driving under suspension and possession of crack. The old warrants say he failed to appear in municipal court in August 2005 on charges of DUS and possession of drugs.

Quentin T. Reynolds, 20, of State Street, McMullen's passenger, was wanted on warrants issued this past Monday for failure to appear in municipal court on drug and traffic charges.

Dante D. Bebbs, 22, of Hillman Street, was pursued when members of the vice squad noticed at 8:40 p.m. that the car he was driving on Boston Avenue had no light on the rear license plate. A check revealed that Bebbs was driving under suspension (failure to pay child support). A bag of marijuana and $280 were found in his pocket. He was charged with DUS and possession of marijuana. He has a drug conviction out of Boardman from 2006, records show.

DeJuan E. Thomas, 25, of Shehy Street, was stopped at 9:15 p.m. for not having lighted license plates. Police learned Thomas does not have a valid license and was wanted on a warrant for failure to appear in municipal court on a loud sound device charge.

Eduardo E. Esteras, 39, of Hyatt Avenue, Campbell, was pulled over at 9:15 p.m. by members of the Street Crimes Unit when he failed to stop for a stop sign on Hine Street. He was charged with DUS and expired and fictitious plates. He was driving a Honda, and the plates belong on an Acura.

Kimberly Bostic, 38, of West Princeton Avenue, Esteras' passenger, was wanted on a warrant for failure to appear in municipal court on a prostitution charge (1998 case). She also was wanted on a Mahoning County Common Pleas Court warrant for failure to appear for a pretrial last month. She was indicted three months ago and charged with failure to comply with a police order.

John Derrico, 49, of East Main Street, Girard, was arrested after driving through a red light on Glenwood Avenue at 10:05 p.m. Detective Sgt. Brian Flynn learned that Derrico was driving under suspension and the plates on his car had expired a month ago.

Daylen L. Harris, 27, of Trussit Avenue, was arrested around 11 p.m. when police saw him drive around the block on Cain Street and then return and park on the sidewalk. Harris was arrested on charges of driving under suspension, possession of marijuana and carrying a concealed weapon. Police found a loaded .45-caliber handgun under the driver's seat and two bags of marijuana and $570 in his pocket. Records show that a year ago he violated terms of his probation in a 2004 drug case (possession of cocaine) and his probation was extended to May 2007.

Saturday, February 3, 2007