Canfield woman gets probation for theft, must pay restitution

YOUNGSTOWN — A Canfield woman was sentenced to four years’ probation for stealing $30,000 from a neighbor whose house she used to clean.

Cheryl Balasko, 54, of Montgomery Drive, pleaded guilty June 21 before Judge Maureen A. Sweeney of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court to a fourth-degree felony theft charge.

Judge Sweeney imposed the sentence today, directing Balasko to make the agreed-upon $15,000 in restitution to the victim and to perform 500 hours of community service at the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley over the next two years.

Police said she stole the money from a suitcase under the bed of her 56-year-old female neighbor for about two years.

For the complete story, read Tuesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com