3 arrested in roof top A/C theft

3 arrested in roof top A/C theft

By RENEE FOX

Tribune Chronicle

WARREN ä Three Warren residents were arrested and charged with misdemeanor theft Thursday morning, after a nearby business owner noticed them at the former Harley Davidson, 410 High St., and an officer pulled over a gray Pontiac matching the witness's description on Niles Road, according to police.

Police and witnesses said an air conditioning unit had been broken into pieces and stolen from the building's roof.

Donald C. Paul, 49, and Tamika L. Berry, 35, both of 766 Hall St. N.W., and Lucas M. Timko, 28, of 2500 North Road N.E., were in the car seen leaving the empty building around 11:45 a.m., according to a police report. Police pulled them over and discovered Paul and Berry had warrants for their arrest through Warren Municipal Court.

The report states scrap was hanging out of the trunk of the Pontiac, which had illegal historical plates. The air conditioning units that were on the roof were dismantled into smaller pieces, Lt. Dan Mason confirmed. A witness said the three may have gained access to the roof through a first floor window.

The suspects were positively identified by the witness before they were booked at the jail.

All three pleaded not guilty in Warren Municipal Court Friday, Timko is being held in leiu of bond at the Trumbull County Jail, Berry and Paul were released.

Preliminary hearings are scheduled, Paul and Berry will appear before Judge Terry Ivanchak on April 30, Timko before Judge Thomas Gysegem on April 2.

There have been a slew of metal thefts from ground and rooftop air conditioning units in Trumbull County. Investigators could not say whether or not the trio is responsible for other, similar thefts in the county.

rfox@tribtoday.com