WARREN - Aaron Chine said he is so fed up with the recent rash of downtown break-ins that he started patrolling the streets himself late into the night to be an extra pair of eyes for police.
During the weekend, he also helped police with his extra set of handcuffs.
Chine said he had been patrolling the North Park Avenue area of downtown for the last week when he was stopped by a woman who tried to rob him.
Chine said he walked through the alley next to the Comfort Inn about 10:20 p.m. Saturday when he was approached by Laura K. Hall, 47, of 175 Laird Ave. N.E., who asked him for money.
"I cut through the alley, and she immediately tries to hit me up for money," said Chine, 31. "I told her no, and that she should leave the area because there's been a lot of break-ins, and that she should go do whatever she was doing somewhere else.
"Then she says 'Give me your money or I'll cut you.'"
Chine said he immediately slapped the handcuffs on her. He said his research on citizen's arrests led him to believe if he witnesses a felony, he's allowed to hold someone for police.
Officers arrived, took his statement and arrested Hall.
Monday, Hall pleaded not guilty to second-degree felony charge of robbery at her arraignment in Warren Municipal Court. She is being held in jail without bond and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Feb. 14.
Chine said he was unsure if Hall had a knife but he wasn't taking any chances. Officers took her to the jail and no weapon was found.
"I didn't think she had a knife, but who knew," Chine said. "I wasn't going to give her the option."
Chine said he thought about going on citizen patrols in his neighborhood when his car was broken into a week and a half ago. He parked his car in the Comfort Inn's lot because if he leaves it parked on the street, he gets tickets. He woke up and found someone had smashed the window to his truck and stole change.
"It was kind of a build-up to that point," said the Austintown business owner who has lived downtown for about four years. "I have a window that overlooks the (Courthouse) Square and there are so many homeless people sleeping out there. Every time I want to go somewhere at night, they ask for money."
Chine said he's not trying to be a hero and that he will not put himself in any real danger. But neither is he the type of person to do nothing, he said.
He recruited friends Tim and Kenny Drummond, who own downtown businesses that were broken into along with several other adjacent businesses on North Park Avenue to help him with his patrol.
Fourth Ward Councilman Greg Bartholomew, who lives downtown and owns the All-American Comics comic book store on the square, joined him on Monday.
"I don't know about people going on patrols, but they do them in neighborhoods," Bartholomew said. "Usually, when transients and crack heads know there is a presence there, they move to different areas. However, I'm concerned if this is gang-related, someone could get hurt."
Chine said if he's subpoenaed to testify at Hall's preliminary hearing or during a trial, he would be more than willing.
A message left with police Chief Tim Bowers was not returned. Chine, however, said officers appeared skeptical at first but did not deter him from patrolling.
"I don't really worry about getting hurt or being in danger because I trust my instincts," Chine said. "I certainly don't worry about police being upset with me. I'm no vigilante, but when it comes down to it, they are understaffed and they're doing the best they can with their resources. I don't think they have a problem with it."
Chine said he carries mace and handcuffs but no weapons. He said he believes just having a known presence in the area will help deter crime.
"I'm not trying to go out and be a hero," he said. "It's also dangerous to drive a car. I'm confident that I will make the right decisions."
