By Courtney Anderson
Herald Staff Writer
SHARON
Tue, May 13 2008
—
As the weather warms up, so does gang violence in the area, according to Sharon police, who said five self-proclaimed gang members have been placed in separate juvenile detention facilities in the last two days.
A 17-year-old from Columbus, Ohio, was charged Tuesday after police said he brandished a handgun at another boy Saturday on Malleable Street.
On Wednesday, police were called to Sharon City School District’s alternative school after three boys tried to assault another boy in their classroom.
Sharon police Capt. Travis Martwinski said things had been quiet during the past year compared to previous years, but a lot of youngsters have recently gotten out of placement or detention facilities.
About 20 juveniles were charged last March, mainly for incidents like disorderly conduct and vandalism, police said at that time. Police then said the youth were emulating the “thug life” seen in popular entertainment.
Martwinski said there’s been some increased violence in the last few weeks as more kids are walking home from school and spending more time outdoors.
The 17-year-old in the gun incident was charged with making terroristic threats and simple assault.
Police said he lifted his shirt and showed a 16-year-old Sharon boy a gun in his waistband about 11:30 p.m. Saturday in the 400 block of Malleable.
The teen and a group of boys then surrounded the 16-year-old’s home and tried to get him to come outside and fight, police said.
The 17-year-old claims to be a member of a local gang, police said. Because of that, he was placed in a juvenile detention facility, police said.
The boy’s mother did not know that he was in Pennsylvania, police said, and said he was supposed to be in Warren, Ohio. Police said the boy has no family here and would not say where he was staying.
Martwinski said police do not know if the March 15 shooting of a 16-year-old boy in the 800 block of Spearman Avenue is related to these incidents. That investigation continues and there are no suspects at this time, Martwinski said.
A fight about 8:15 a.m. Wednesday at Sharon City School District’s Center for Personal and Academic Success resulted in four Sharon teenagers being charged.
Police said three boys claiming gang affiliation tried to assault another boy claiming to be from a rival gang in their classroom at the alternative education program building at East State Street and Forker Boulevard.
Teachers broke up the fight and one man was punched in the jaw, police said.
Police said they aren’t sure who hit the teacher, but ruled out one of the boys.
Two 15-year-olds and a 14-year-old were each charged with aggravated assault on a teacher. Those boys and a 17-year-old were each charged with simple assault, riot and disorderly conduct, police said.
Police said teachers heard the boys talking about gang activity before the fight.
Superintendent John Sarandrea said the students weren’t hurt.
He stressed that such behavior won’t be tolerated and that anyone who fights in school at the least gets cited for disorderly conduct.
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