An 18-year-old man, a 15-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl were charged with theft of services at 3:30 p.m. Friday after police said they boarded a Shenango Valley Shuttle Servos bus without paying the 50-cent fare. The students were caught by an undercover officer riding the bus, police said.

Sharon Police Capt. Michael Menster said they have received "numerous complaints" about youths on the bus.

Large groups of kids board the buses without paying the fare or they harass and intimidate other passengers on the bus.

The shuttle service is used by many elderly people who have no other means of transportation, and many of them are afraid to ride the bus because of the youths, Menster said.

The shuttle service is operated by the Mercer County Regional Council of Governments. COG is providing funding for a police crackdown on the buses, Menster said.

The students who were caught Friday were taken to the Sharon police station, cited and then released to their parents, Menster said.

Menster said undercover and uniformed police will be riding the buses.

The buses are available for student use as long as they follow the rules, Menster said.

"If you want to use the shuttle service, pay the fare, conduct yourself in a responsible manner and respect the other passengers," he said.