Police Beat
Victim kidnapped and assaulted; rash of vandalism incidents in city 

GREENVILLE - On July 12, Greenville Police responded to a call from Dustin M. Barton, 164 Bellevernon Ave., that he had been kidnapped in Greenville, then dumped off and assaulted in the 800 block of Rush Road, New Madison. The kidnapping had taken place on Plum Street. Barton was transported to Wayne Hospital. In his statement to police, Barton said he had been in New Madison until about 10 p.m. and walked back to Greenville. He arrived at 12:40 a.m. and was on Plum when a vehicle pulled up behind him. The driver yelled out a derogatory statement referring to him as a homosexual. Barton told him to shut up. According to the victim’s statement the passenger in the vehicle got out and knocked him to the ground, held him down and punched him. The attacker then got a choke hold on him; the driver opened the back door and Barton is pushed into the vehicle. The passenger continued to punch the victim as the driver continued using derogatory names. The attackers pulled him out of the vehicle and continued punching him for about 45 seconds, then got back into the vehicle and left. Barton used his GPS to determine his location and called 911. Photos were taken of his injuries, along with additional evidence from the scene and his clothing. Barton was released after treatment. As of July 17, no new information was available. 

The following descriptions were provided by the victim, who advised he would be able to identify the attackers if he saw them: The vehicle was a newer model SUV (possibly a Ford Expedition), red or maroon with gold pin striping. The driver was male, white, about 6 ft. 2 in. tall, stocky build, short brown hair, close cut beard and mustache, wearing light colored blue jeans, tan work boots and an orange Aeropostle T-shirt. The passenger was a white male, about 5 ft. 8 in. tall, stocky build, shoulder length dirty blonde hair, no facial hair, wearing a white tank top, dark skinny jeans and black Air Jordan shoes with red insignia and elephant cackle on the side. He has a black ink tattoo on his right bicep that is unknown cursive writing that wraps around the arm. He had a silver ring band on his left pinkie finger. 

VANDALISM 

On July 10, Greenville police responded to a vandalism call at 903 E. Main St., Apt. 4, from the resident Matthew Duncan. His vehicle windshield was shattered by a rock. No witnesses. A possible suspect was named, but no contact was made at this time at the request of the victim. 

On July 10, Greenville police responded to a vandalism call at 625 Washington Ave. from Tammy Ross. Ross said her vehicle was parked at the rear of the house in the alley. There was some furniture there as well for the trash to be picked up. An unknown person(s) picked up a chair and threw it on the windshield of the vehicle, cracking it. The officer noted several vehicles had been damaged overnight in the city but at this time no suspects. 

On July 11, Greenville police were dispatched to 539 Washington Ave. by Tammy Weisenbarger regarding a damaged vehicle. The vehicle was in a parking lot at 510 Gray Ave. It was her son’s and had a smashed windshield. Prints were lifted. No suspects at this time. 

On July 11, Greenville police were dispatched to 415 Riffle Ave. regarding a broken windshield on a motor vehicle owned by Steven Thompson. An unknown person or persons broke the windshield and drivers side rear view mirror. A shoe imprint was lifted. No suspects. 

On July 11, Greenville police were dispatched to 439 Harrison Ave. by Kelly Vandegrift. Unknown suspects jumped on the hood of her vehicle and stomped on the windshield, cracking it. There were dents in the roof. The responding officer noted three damaged windshields so far that day but at this time no suspects. 

On July 11, Greenville police responded to a call at 504 Washington Ave. by Lacey Marie Smith regarding damage to her vehicle. Unknown suspects had pulled off the drivers side electric mirror, dented the hood from walking on it and kicking in the windshield. 

On July 12, Greenville police responded to a call at 916 Washington Ave. by Delores Carrington regarding a decorative lamp on her lawn that was knocked over and damaged. The lamp is valued at approximately $300. The responding officer noted that there have been several vandalism calls in the area. There are no suspects at the time but it is likely they are the same individuals. 

On July 11, Greenville police responded to a call at 134 Martin St. by Allen Luce, Miami Valley Vending. An employee had found his vehicle’s windshield damaged. The windshield appeared to have been kicked in. No suspects. 

On July 11, Greenville police responded to a call at 509 E. Third St. by Nicole Burgess, who is the wife of the registered owner of a damaged vehicle. An unknown person or persons had kicked in the front windshield of the vehicle. No suspects. 

THEFT, DRUGS 

On July 9 Greenville police was dispatched to 345 W. Russ Rd by the owner of the residence, John Johnston. He said he had been staying at his house in Tennessee and allowed his daughter, Heather Lilly, to stay in the Greenville residence. A local relative advised him Heather might be on drugs. He came to the residence to discover two TV’s missing and several pills, a pipe, straw and tin foil with residue on it in the master bedroom. In the spare bedroom, Johnson found more pills. Shortly after Johnston’s arrival Heather pulled up with a friend, Christopher James, who had been staying with her. An argument ensued, leading to the police being called. James said he didn’t know who the drugs belonged to and the TV’s were not in the home when he arrived on July 5. Lilly said she stole the TV’s and sold them to Greenville Pawn and Jewelry. The pawn slips were found later in the house. The pills were sent for analysis. Lilly was cited for theft and will be cited for drug abuse if the pills are found to be a controlled substance. 

BURGLARY 

On July 11, Greenville police responded to a burglary call at Longfellows restaurant at 726 Sater St. Food was missing from the cooler along with other items. The suspect removed two overhead cameras in the bar and seven cartons of meat were removed from the cooler. The drawer from the cash register, which is part of a computer system, was ripped away from the rest of the system and the money taken. A noticeable amount of liquor were removed from the shelves in the bar area. No point of entry was found and no suspects at this time. 

Published courtesy of The Early Bird