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Youngstown woman charged with nursing home thefts

COLUMBIANA — A Youngstown woman was arrested for allegedly stealing from the assisted living facility she was working for here.

Columbiana police Detective Wade Boley said he arrested Sierra Carbone, 26, on Monday following an investigation that began when Whispering Pines residents reported jewelry and cash missing from their rooms.

Boley said the department had been receiving complaints from residents, with the most recent being on Jan. 2.

“Three different residents were all missing jewelry. One was missing a safe from her room,” he said.

The large safe, measuring about 18 by 16 inches, was later found by police as well as some of the stolen jewelry and cash.

Boley said police found the safe and other items in a home in Youngstown that Carbone was allegedly in the midst of renovating for the purpose of renting out.

Police gained access into the home through a consent to search on Monday and Boley said the safe appeared to have been forced open.

He also said the value of the stolen items — including cash — amounted to about $1,200.

Carbone had been working as a state-tested nurse’s aide (STNA) at the facility since about October, he added.

“Whispering Pines immediately did the right thing and have been extremely cooperative and proactive in the investigation,” police Chief Tim Gladis said.

Carbone was charged by police with theft by deception, a fourth-degree felony. She was arraigned in Columbiana County Municipal Court on Tuesday.

According to the affidavit filed with the court, Carbone is accused of stealing 14 items from resident rooms between Dec. 1 and Dec. 31, and taking them to the Austintown Pawn and Cashland shop in Youngstown.

Items included seven rings, one chain with a pendant, three necklaces, the safe with miscellaneous documents and $600 in cash.

The victims were all over the age of 65.

In court Tuesday, a Jan. 19 preliminary hearing was set for Carbone, and bond was set at $2,500 cash or surety.

kwhite@mojonews.com

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