3 men are arraigned in thefts of items from vacant house

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A former councilman reported copper missing from his rental property.

YOUNGSTOWN — Three men seen by police coming out of a vacant house at 49 E. Lucius Ave. carrying gutters, copper pipes and wires were arraigned Monday in municipal court.

All three are charged with felony breaking and entering. They will be back in court at 10:15 a.m. Aug. 28 for a preliminary hearing.

The three charged are:

John Howley, 42, of Lanterman Road, Austintown. His bond is $10,000.

Blake Rogers, 36, of Webb Road, Austintown. His bond is $5,000. Court records show he was placed on one year's probation in October 2005 in an OVI (operating vehicle impaired) case from Austintown.

James Tibbetts, 18, of East Dewey Avenue. His bond is $5,000.

Patrolmen Robert Lodwick and Terry Russo were sent to the two-story house on East Lucius after reports that it was being stripped. The officers said they saw three men carrying gutters, copper pipes and wires to a truck parked in the driveway.

After the suspects were identified, Howley told the officers that he had permission from the homeowner to take anything of value out of the house. When police checked, however, they learned that the owner is American Tax Funding in Jupiter, Fla.

The officers said both the front and rear doors had been kicked in. The truck the men were using was towed and held for detectives with the evidence still inside the bed. Photos were taken of the house and the items taken.

Second report

On Saturday morning, Ron Sefcik, former 4th Ward councilman, reported to police that someone completely stripped his rental property at 1274 Salt Springs Road. Copper pipes and wires worth $2,500 were taken from the six-room house, reports show.

Sefcik told police that the theft likely occurred late last week. Police said entry was made through the cellar door.

In the past few months, thefts of copper have been increasing, with some scrap yards paying more than $2 per pound for the metal. Vacant houses as well as commercial buildings have been targeted.

Tuesday, August 15, 2006