Police Beat
Police deal with multiple assault and domestic violence issues

On Jan. 26 police responded to Sportzters at 406 S. Broadway regarding an assault. The victim, Mark Haney, said he was hit outside of Sportzters and complained his head was in pain. Greenville Rescue responded and transported Haney to Wayne Hospital. The left side of Haney’s face was slightly swollen and there was a large, bloody bump on the top of his head. A witness said two males and a female entered the bar close to closing time and brought drinks in from outside. The bartender asked them to leave. They didn’t; Haney told them they were asked to leave, at which time they did. When Haney left the bar the three individuals were outside. One male asked him what he was going to do about it. Haney didn’t respond and was struck in the face, knocking him down. The bartender said she didn’t see what happened outside but knew the suspects and named them. Investigation is continuing depending on a review of the surveillance video.

On Jan. 31 police were dispatched to a residence on 608 Main St. regarding a trespassing complaint. Ebony Redditt made no comments about violence until advised the victim, Matthew Hall, had injuries. She said it was the victim’s dog. She became belligerent and was placed in the back of the cruiser. Redditt had come to the residence; Hall told her to leave. She allegedly pushed Hall down. When he attempted to get up she slammed the door on his left arm, then slapped him twice. She stated she never touched Hall and changed her story to his injuries were from a fight with a cousin. After finding out she was being charged with assault, she said Hall punched her in the face, but there were no signs of injury. She was placed under arrest and transported to Darke County jail. While enroute, she allegedly said “I’m gonna call boys who know boys and they will take care of this for me,” then added the police would not be able to find his body afterwards.

On Feb. 1 police responded to 121 N. Main St. regarding an aggravated burglary call. The victim, Joseph Letart, was noticeably injured and had several lacerations to his head and hand. He told the officer he was dizzy, so was told to sit while waiting for the rescue squad to arrive, and explain what happened. Letart was in the living room almost dozing off when he heard the front door open and close. He assumed it was a minor for whom he was babysitting. He kept his eyes closed when suddenly he was struck on the head by a heavy blunt object. He identified the suspect as Shaun Ginter. He said Ginter struck him several more times with what appeared to be a mallet or hammer with a yellow handle and black grip. When he was able to get up he chased Ginter out of the house. He had a laceration on the back of his head, his right hand, the left side of his forehead and around the mouth. There also appeared to be swelling around most of his face. He was taken to Wayne Healthcare. When asked why, Letart said he didn’t know except he was dating someone Ginter used to date. Ginter was interviewed at his residence, 427 Birt St., and denied knowing anything about the incident. His vehicle was search, where fresh blood was found. He denied changing his clothes but his grandparents said he had sometime that afternoon. Ginter was arrested for burglary and transported to the Darke County jail.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

On Feb. 2 police responded to a domestic violence call involving Adam Payne. The victim said he got angry and struck her multiple times in the face and throat. He also kicked her and pulled her hair. The right side of the victim’s face was a little swollen. A witness confirmed the information; consequently Payne was arrested for domestic violence and transported to Darke County jail. He was issued a misdemeanor citation for domestic violence.

On Jan. 28 police responded to a domestic violence call involving Justin Gantt screaming and threatening the victim. He allegedly threatened to (profanity) and she “wasn’t going to live through the night.” The victim stated it started because she’d found Gantt’s pipe and cut it up, advising it was a crack pipe. However she couldn’t produce it for the officers. She said Gantt grabbed her by the hair and pulled it out, struck her on the right shoulder, squeezed and twisted her wrist and claimed he was going to break it. Police and rescue responders were unable to find any marks where she said she’d been injured. Gantt said the woman was upset because he forgot to stop and pick up her medicine. He added he was unable to make out most of what she was saying; and took her dogs outside. He said she told him he was going to jail. When asked to fill out a written statement he responded “I don’t know what I want to do right now.” He was arrested for domestic violence and threats against a household member and transported to Darke County jail.

BURGLERY

On Feb. 4 police responded to a 911 hang-up call at 704-1/2 E. 3rd St. The victim, Stoney Dynes, said the suspect, Jonathan Snyder, broke into his apartment, damaged his property and threatened to “kick his ***.” Dynes showed the officer the bent catch on his apartment door and a number of items knocked on the floor in the kitchen and living room. Snyder said they were friends (Dynes agreed) and he came over to pick up a snowmobile. He said he knocked and the door “just opened.” They argued; Snyder got angry because he thought Dynes was giving him the runaround about the snowmobile. Dynes also said Snyder had threatened him and also to throw his TV out the window. Snyder was cited for misdemeanor criminal trespass, criminal damaging and menacing.

On Feb. 1 police responded to 639 Sweitzer St. regarding the theft of two gas cans and damage to a battery charger. The victim, Shawn Fiste, noted the theft and damage took place in his unlocked shed. No suspects.

VANDALISM

On Jan. 31 police responded to 121 W. Main St. to a possible domestic. The victim said Matthew Hall had asked her for a ride to Walmart. She picked Hall up at 608 E. Main. Enroute he began making threats and calling her names. She told him she wasn’t his **** dog and he wasn’t going to treat her that way. Hall punched the windshield on the passenger side, cracking it from top to bottom. Hall will be cited for criminal mischief.

On Feb. 2 police were dispatched to 252 Marion Drive regarding a damaged windshield on a vehicle. The victim, Eugene Brunswick, reported the windshield on the driver’s side of his vehicle was damaged. A friend, Linda Smith, stated she believed she knew the individual responsible; that she’d had problems with him in the past. Attempts to contact the individual have so far been unsuccessful.

On Jan. 29 police were dispatched to Whirlpool, 1701 Kitchenaid Way, for damage allegedly done to a vehicle by Richard Stine. Police found the suspect walking toward Russ Road and returned him to Whirlpool. Stine admitted to having an altercation with Josh Shade, then finding the victim’s vehicle and keying it. There was damage to the hood, passenger side and trunk. Stine was trespassed from the property and issued a citation for criminal mischief.

On Jan. 3 police were dispatched to 122 N. Main St. regarding damage to a vehicle. The victim, Donna Black, said during the time she was in Greenville making several stops. At some point the vehicle had received multiple small dents approximately the size of a quarter. No suspects.

THEFT

On Feb. 3 Police responded to 206 Wagner Ave. regarding a theft of cash and prescription drugs. The victim, Susan Walendzik said her friend moved in because she was homeless. Later the friend’s boyfriend moved in. At some point, overnight, the friend and boyfriend moved out, allegedly taking the rent money and drugs with them. Address is unknown at this time.

On Jan. 27 police responded to CVS, 1009 E. Main St., regarding a shoplifting in progress. A male subject in a yellow jacket removed two 20 oz. Pepsi bottles from a cooler then left the store without paying. He entered a minivan that police observed shortly afterward. The suspect, Matthew Wogoman, admitted to taking them without paying and returned one unopened bottle and one empty bottle. He was issued a citation for theft. Also in the vehicle at the time was Pam Porter who had a warrant through GPD. She was arrested and transported to the Darke County jail.

On Jan. 27 police responded to Liberty Tax Services regarding a female, Jessica D. Massey, who came into the store to file her taxes. Liberty was running a special giving someone who files $50 on the spot. The suspect allegedly filed a tax return with a false social security number. Liberty Tax Services in Piqua, Celina and several other stores in the Dayton area advised the same female had been in their stores. Massey is being sought by Celina PD and Piqua PD. A search also noted she is on Federal Probation. No information available on Massey’s location.

On Jan. 28 police responded to Wal-Mart, 1501 Wagner Ave., regarding a shoplifting complaint. Bruce Baldridge was observed taking two car batteries off the shelf and leaving without paying for them. He was stopped in the parking lot; he returned the batteries and admitted to the offense. He was cited for theft. While investigating this incident police were informed Baldridge allegedly took two Dell desktop computers the previous day. Each computer was worth $698, making this a felony. Baldridge advised he would get the computers and take them to Greenville Police on Jan. 29. The report to be filed with the Darke County Prosecutor’s office for charges.

Published courtesy of The Early Bird