Police Beat
Thefts, burglaries continue to be major issue

On Jan. 10 police were dispatched to the Christian Missionary Alliance Church, 306 Devor St., regarding a theft complaint. Pastor Doug Klinsing advised items have come up missing over the past few months, most recently a snow blower in the past few days. Other items stolen include Kroger gift cards, bags of candy and a brass bell formerly belonging to the Greenville Lions Club. There was no evidence of forced entry and no suspects at this time.

On Jan. 9 police were dispatched to AutoZone, 221 Martin St., regarding an employee caught stealing merchandise valued at $919.39. Frank Davis admitted to stealing the items over a several month period, explaining he was having a hard time financially and needed the items to repair his vehicle so he could get to work. Davis had been terminated; he was cited for theft.

On Jan. 12 police were dispatched to First Presbyterian Church, 114 E. Fourth St., regarding a breaking and entering. Pastor John Person advised someone had taken cameras, a television and a laptop. No sign of forced entry and no suspects at this time.

On Jan. 8 police were dispatched to The Grey House, 322 S. Broadway, regarding a breaking and entering. Rodney Fisher found the back door unlocked and a display case pried open. Missing were multiple game cards valued from $30 to $300. Cash was not taken. No suspects at this time.

On Jan. 8 police were dispatched to Greenville Police regarding a complaint from Chris Taylor about theft of medication needed for his broken hand. Taylor was filing the report since he could not get the prescription replaced without one.

On Jan. 1 police were dispatched to 122 Sweitzer St. regarding a burglary. Two televisions and money had been taken. The victims, Sean Gade and Layla Shellabarger, advised they found the back door to their residence had been forced open. The items were taken in a hurry with cables unplugged, along with other components, left on the floor. No suspects.

On Dec. 23 police were dispatched to 651 Martin St. regarding a burglary. Complainant Doris Smith noted a TV was missing from the living room of her son’s apartment. Her son, William Smith, described the TV as a 36 in. Sanyo flat screen. No suspects at this time.

On Dec. 24 police were dispatched to 1000 Harrison Ave. regarding a theft complaint. June Ely stated $723 had come up missing from her residence. Ely noted one possible suspect, however his whereabouts were unknown.

On Dec. 21 police were dispatched to Cellular Connection at 1520 Wagner Ave., Ste. 101, regarding a large rock thrown through the window. Three Braven 440 wireless speakers – two gray, one red – were taken. No suspects.

On Dec. 21 police were dispatched to 312 E. Third St. regarding a burglary. The victim, Genora Moser, said someone forced entry through the back door and stole a “tablet” located on her dining room table. A small piece of wood had been broken out near the knob of Moser’s back door. Evidence was found and sent to Miami Valley Crime Lab for analysis.

On Dec. 29 police were dispatched to 123 Sweitzer St. regarding a stolen bicycle. Elizabeth Proctor advised her son’s bike was left unlocked. It was a white BMX style Mongoose Mode 270 with black wheels.

ACCIDENT/OVI

On Jan. 4 police were dispatched to Furniture Express, 640 Wagner, regarding a vehicle which had allegedly struck another vehicle in the Aldi’s parking lot, 425 Wagner, and was involved in a second crash at 640 Wagner. Police spoke with the driver, John L. Wood. Wood allegedly had difficulty balancing himself and had to lean against his vehicle. He seemed confused, not knowing what road he was on or city he was in. His eyes were bloodshot and he had an odor of alcohol on him. He did poorly on a field sobriety test. At Greenville Police he voluntarily took a breath test and measured .242. He was charged with OVI and transported to Darke County Jail.

On Dec. 20 police were dispatched to the 200 block of Wagner Avenue regarding a vehicle – possibly a black Nissan - that was “all over the roadway and driving recklessly.” Shortly after there was a report a black Nissan had gotten into a car accident at the corner of Wagner and Lease Avenues. The driver, Joe Little, had difficulty walking straight, had glassy, bloodshot eyes and appeared intoxicated. He agreed to a field sobriety test and did poorly on it. He stated he was on anti-depressant drugs. Little was arrested on suspicion of OVI and transported to Greenville Police Department. He submitted to a urine test from drugs and was released to his mother, Ebony Redditt. He will be cited pending lab results.

DECEASED PERSON

On Jan. 2 police were dispatched to 424 N. Main St., Apt. 2 regarding a deceased subject. The complainant, Zachary Geiger, was standing next to the deceased, Hope Ferrin. Greenville Twp. Rescue Squad confirmed Ferrin was deceased. The Coroner was called to the scene and family contacted. Nothing else at this time.

On Dec. 30 police responded to 420 Hiddeson Ave., No. 3, when an unnamed victim did not answer the door for a visit from her RN. She was found deceased. Rescue was called, along with the Coroner. Nothing else at this time.

DOMESTIC

On Jan. 1 police responded to a CPO (Civil Protection Order) violation by Daniel Bush. Police found the suspect who acknowledged he had been at the residence as charged. He was arrested on a felony charge of violating a CPO and transported to Darke County Jail.

On Dec. 20 police responded to 708 Gray Ave. regarding a physical domestic. Several subjects, including a juvenile, could be heard yelling. The juvenile was using obscene language and stated her mom was drunk and they were fighting. Ebony Redditt was in the kitchen with Matthew Hall. Both subjects were highly intoxicated and screaming at each other. Redditt said the juvenile punched, slapped and knocked her down on the ground, but was too intoxicated to answer simple questions. She had red marks on her face and neck. Hall witnessed the fight but was too intoxicated to write a statement. The juvenile continued cussing and screaming at her mom, along with the officers. She was also throwing things, punching walls and more. Police arrested her for domestic violence and released her to Darke County Juvenile Court. She was then transported to West Central Juvenile Detention Center.

STOLEN VEHICLE

On Jan. 2 police responded to a stolen vehicle complaint. Jeffery McDowell called on behalf of the vehicle’s owner, his grandmother Joy McDowell. The vehicle was in the driveway of 435 Washington Ave. as of 5 a.m. McDowell found it missing at 10:30 a.m. and contacted police after making sure no other family member had possession.

ANIMAL COMPLAINT

On Jan. 3 police were dispatched to 701 Washington Ave. regarding a dog left outside at an abandoned residence. The dog was chained up in a fenced in back yard. There was a dog house but no food; water in a bucket was frozen. The officer transported the dog to the Darke County Humane Society. Police were advised the owner would be found and cited.

FIRE INVESTIGATION

On Dec. 24 police responded to the 1000 block of Harrison Avenue regarding a trash bin fire in the service alley. The officer put out the fire using an extinguisher in his vehicle. A witness recalled hearing a vehicle with loud exhaust leaving the area but didn’t see it. No suspects.

Published courtesy of The Early Bird