LISBON - Three people in Salineville were charged early Sunday after they were found inside the former IGA store removing pipe, electrical panels and even the air conditioning unit from the building.
Deputies were called to the former IGA by a Walnut Street resident at 12:08 a.m. Sunday. Three members of the sheriff's department surrounded the building and waited for the arrival of other police - Trooper Vic Wolfe, East Liverpool Township Lt. Justin Wright and patrolman Jordan Reynolds and then police from Wellsville. K-9 officer Chris Davis also brought Axel.
After warning those inside Axel was about to enter the building, one person, Mykel Crooms was arrested quickly. When questioned, Crooms claimed twice he was alone. However, police later found two more people hiding in the steel ceiling braces.
Crooms, 25, Clarks Mill Road, Salineville, was charged with felony possession of criminal tools, breaking and entering and obstruction of official business. After they were ordered out of the rafters, Andrew Foster, 20, West Main Street, Salineville, was charged with felony possession of criminal tools and breaking and entering.
The third person with them was a juvenile. A pipe found in his pocket reportedly had possible drug residue inside. He was transported to the Tobin Attention Center and will face a citation in juvenile court.
Members of the Salineville Fire Department responded and assisted deputies in making certain there were no more people
inside the building by utilizing infrared heat-sensitive equipment.
The owner of the building, Robert Eish, checked the building with police for damage. Conduit and copper plumbing was found cut or removed. A step ladder was missing. There was damage to the pipes and connectors to the furnace. By footprints and marks in the mud, it appeared several metal pieces had been drug across the creek.
Foster and Crooms both had preliminary hearings set in Columbiana County Municipal Court Monday for June 11. Bond for Foster was set at $5,000 cash or surety. Crooms' bond was set at $25,000 cash or surety.
