djohnson@mojonews.com
Morning Journal/Deanne Johnson
Benjamin R. Phillips leaves the courtroom of Judge Timothy McNicol with sheriffâs Deputy John Scheets.
LISBON A Salem man accused of entering Minerva area homes and attempting to board a school bus appeared for a preliminary hearing before county Municipal Court Judge Timothy McNicol on Thursday.
Benjamin R. Phillips, 46, Fourth Street, Salem, is charged with two fourth-degree felony burglary charges. He had assured McNicol during his arraignment hearing last week that he would be hiring his own attorney, but appeared without one on Thursday afternoon.
When questioned why he had not hired counsel, Phillips explained he could not go find an attorney because he could not bond out of jail. He agreed to allow McNicol to appoint one at this time. Phillips was found to qualify for one after saying he only gets unemployment since he was laid off due to Covid-19 pandemic.
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MINERVA A Salem man was arrested early Thursday after reportedly breaking into two homes and trying to board a school bus with children inside.
Columbiana County Sheriff Brian McLaughlin said deputies were called by a homeowner and neighbors at 6:31 a.m. Thursday after the man was reported breaking into homes in the area of Watts Street and Bayard Road outside of Minerva. Residents of both homes were there when the man, later identified as Benjamin R. Phillips, entered the houses.
McLaughlin said when entering homes did not work to get what he wanted, Phillips reportedly went out to get on a Minerva Schools bus, which was going through the area picking up students for the day.
Staff Writer
MINERVA A Salem man was arrested early Thursday after reportedly breaking into two homes and trying to board a school bus with children inside.
Columbiana County Sheriff Brian McLaughlin said deputies were called by a homeowner and neighbors at 6:31 a.m. Thursday after the man was reported breaking into homes in the area of Watts Street and Bayard Road outside of Minerva. Residents of both homes were there when the man, later identified as Benjamin R. Phillips, entered the houses.
McLaughlin said when entering homes did not work to get what he wanted, Phillips reportedly went out to get on a Minerva Schools bus, which was going through the area picking up students for the day.
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