Poland school teacher charged after purse snatching and police chase

Irene Consiglio handcuffed

BOARDMAN, Ohio - A Poland Middle School teacher has been arraigned on charges of complicity to commit robbery and fleeing and eluding police.

46-year-old Irene Consiglio was arrested Wednesday night following a brief pursuit by Boardman Police.

According to a police report, the incident leading up to Consiglio's arrest began just before 6:45 p.m. Wednesday in the parking lot of the Sandwich Factory restaurant at 6125 Market Street in Boardman.

Police say a sobbing, 67-year-old retired woman from Columbiana told them that a man grabbed her purse, forcing her to the ground.

The victim, who suffered minor head and elbow injuries in the fall, tells police she didn't see the suspect leave the scene.

But a witness told officers that he spotted a woman, whom he later identified as Consiglio, driving the suspect away from the scene in a silver car.

Within ten minutes, a Boardman police officer spotted the suspect car on Route 224 and pulled it over near Mill Creek Park.

The officer says when he opened his door to step out of the cruiser, the car sped away, and the officer gave chase.

According to the report, the car being pursued turned onto Lockwood Boulevard and in the parking lot of a shopping plaza.

The officer says the passenger car of the door flung open and a white male wearing shorts, a blue wind jacket and ball cap leaped out of the car and ran into the woods behind the plaza.

Officers searched the woods, but could only find the suspect's hat and jacket.

Police found the stolen purse in the car, and handcuffed the driver, who they identified as Irene Consiglio. The purse contained checks, credit cards and $900 in cash.

After being booked into the Mahoning County Jail, Consiglio was arraigned Boardman Court Wednesday afternoon, and is due back in court next week.

Poland School Superintendent David Janofa tells 21 News that Consiglio is a special education teacher who has been with the district for thirteen years, and also the girl's track coach.

Janofa says  Consiglio has not been in school for a couple of weeks, and won't be in the classroom on Friday.

Police have not identified the male suspect in the purse snatching, but have issued a description.

• Male
• White (possibly Asian)
• 25 - 30 years old
• 5' 10"
• "Skinny" build
• Dark medium length hair
• No facial hair

If you have information that can help solve the crime, call Boardman Police at 330-726-4144