Theft
On March 9th, 2024 police was dispatched to the Greenville PD lobby in reference of a scam of $600.00 dollars. PO spoke with John Cusick and Donna Medina in reference to them being scammed out of $600.00. They stated they found a Boston Terrier rescue/ puppy Facebook page. They contacted the page to buy a pup, that person who ran the page was Helen Walters. Donna needed to pay a down payment of $300. 00 and then another once the pup was picked up. The Helen subject then told John and Donna they would need to send the other $300.00 early, so they did. They were told to meet at 318 Anderson Ave, Greenville Oh. Once at the address, the owner of 318 stated there was no one by that name there, and that the scammer must’ve used a fake address. When John attempted to message the Helen subject back on Facebook, the page was deleted and her Facebook page was gone. PO asked them how they sent the payments and they stated an app called Zelle. PO advised them that they were scammed and the account was fake. They were able to find the two subjects the Zelle accounts belonged to and they returned to a Quimya Latiler and Yamir Purnell. PO gave John and Donna the police departments information along with the report number to see if they can contact their bank to get refunded. They were also advised to contact their local PD, since the incident did no take place in Greenville. John snd Donna live in the Cleveland Oh.
Trash/Dumping
On March 9, 2024 at approximately 2:13 PM, while officers were at the residence of 127 Virginia Avenue on an unrelated incident, it was observed that the property outside the listed residence was cluttered with debris/trash and other miscellaneous items. The property was found to be not in compliance with city ordinances’ pertaining to trash dumping at a residential property. The residence of the listed property were issued and given copies of the Greenville City Trash ordinance. Kylee Holbrook was advised of the written notice and advised of the five day process to get the property in compliance with the city ordinance. A copy of the issued trash notice was taken back to Greenville PD and placed into records. PO will follow up with this case to ensure the property is being brought into compliance with the city ordinance. SSD Delk was advised of the trash notice at the listed residence via email.
Search Warrant
On March 9th, 2024, at approximately 10 AM, a PO requested assistance with conducting a field test on a substance that was recovered on Spencer Kouts at 127 Virginia Avenue. The Lt. arrived at the Greenville Police Department shortly after and made contact with Spencer Kouts in the operations room. Lt. learned that Kouts had just been arrested at his residence, 127 Virginia Avenue, and was in possession of what appeared to be methamphetamine and another unknown substances at the time of the arrest. The substance believed to be methamphetamine was a crystal like substance and was in a clear bag. Kouts had been made aware of the Miranda Warnings and he agreed to speak with the Lt. During the conversation with Kouts, the Lt discovered there was two eight year old children living at 127 Virginia Avenue with their mother, Kylee Holbrook. Kouts advised there was drug paraphernalia inside of the residence along with possibly methamphetamine. Lt. field tested the crystal substance found on Kouts and it tested positive presumptively as methamphetamine. Due to Kouts being arrested with suspected narcotics on his person, his admissions to their being drug paraphernalia and possibly narcotics still at the residence, and children residing at the residence Lt. opted to obtain a search warrant for the residence in reference to child endangering and possession of controlled substances. Lt. prepared a search warrant then a Det and the Lt. met with Darke County Juvenile Court Judge to have him review the search warrant. The judge reviewed then signed the search warrant. At 12:46 PM, police arrived at 127 Virginia Avenue to execute the search warrant. There was no answer at the door and entry was made by officers through the unlocked garage door and then into the residence. Upon entry into the residence, Lt found the living conditions to be poor. The kitchen had dishes, food, and other trash laying out. There was 2 dogs in the residence and there was a strong odor of urine emitting throughout the residence. A bedroom at the north side of the residence which was presumably for the children was also in disarray. There was old food laying out and soda cans on the floor in the bedroom that had cigarette butts inside of them. The bedroom on the west side of the residence presumably occupied by Kylee Holbrook and Spencer Kouts had what appeared to be rodent feces in the drawers. Lt. contacted Darke County Children’s Services and spoke with their investigator and she was notified of the narcotics being found at the residence as well as the poor living conditions. The investigator later responded to the scene and met with Kylee Holbrook. During the search of the residence, drug paraphernalia and suspected methamphetamine was located in the garage. Kylee Holbrook was served a copy of the search warrant. The drug paraphernalia and suspected methamphetamine was transported to the Greenville Police Department and placed into evidence.
Wanted Person
On March 9th, 2024 at approximately 9:46 AM police went to 127 Virginia Avenue to attempt to make contact with Spencer Kouts who has a warrant out of Mercer County. PO made contact with Spencer. PO placed Spencer in handcuffs and Dispatch confirmed the warrant. PO conducted a search of Spencer’s person incident to arrest and PO located one clear bag of a crystal like substance in his right front pocket. PO located a clear bag containing a white powder substance in Spencer’s wallet. PO transported Spencer to the Greenville Police Department for processing. Another PO transported Spencer to the Darke County Jail where he is being held without bond for Possession Of Drugs and Spencer has a detainer from Mercer County.
DUI
On March 9, 2024 at approximately 11:26 PM police observed a blue Chevy bearing Ohio registration KAC5446 traveling south in the 100 block of Oxford Drive. PO first observed the vehicle traveling west in the 1100 block of Russ Road, pulling out of the Sloopy’s Sports Bar and Grill parking lot. After running the license plate through LEADS/NCIC, PO learned the registration was expired as of 11/27/2023, with the registered owner showing as Sydnee Townsend. The vehicle was traveling at above the posted speed limits but was not captured on any speed device. The vehicle slammed on its breaks, using its turn signal, and turned south onto Oxford Street. The vehicle continued unsafely, at excessive speeds, through the residential areas of Oxford Drive. PO initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle, which pulled into the driveway of 113 Oxford Drive. The driver, Benjamin Townsend, began to exit the vehicle and was instructed multiple times to get back in the drivers seat. Benjamin seemed incoherent due to alcohol intoxication. Upon making contact with Benjamin, PO detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath, his glassy and bloodshot eyes and slurred speech. When PO asked Benjamin where he was coming from, he stated he had been inside Sloopy’s with some friends for multiple hours. Benjamin stated that he had only consumed two mixed alcoholic beverages during this time, but would not advise what they were. Benjamin stated that he was supposed to be the Designated Driver of his friend group for the night. When asked if he lived at the address he had pulled his vehicle into, Benjamin stated he did not and was there to see his friend Heather Werner. Benjamin handed PO his Ohio ID that was then run through dispatch. Dispatch confirmed through LEADS that Benjamin was under a twelve-point license suspension. PO asked Benjamin to exit the vehicle. PO then asked Benjamin to preform a complete Series of Field Sobriety Tests, to which he refused. Benjamin was placed under arrest and into handcuffs. Benjamin was read his Miranda Warning, which he stated he understood. Benjamin was then searched incident to arrest with nothing located. At this time Benjamin was placed into the back of a cruiser. PO then spoke with the resident of 113 Oxford Drive, Rhonda Werner. Rhonda stated she knew Benjamin but that Heather was not home and she did not want the vehicle to remain in the driveway. PO transported Benjamin to the Greenville Police Department where he was shown, and read, the BMV2255 form. Benjamin stated he understood what was read and originally agreed to preform a breath test. While a Sgt. set up the test, Benjamin decided to refuse the breath test. Due to Benjamin’s two prior OVIs in the last ten years, and breath test refusal, he was advised his license would be placed under a three year ALS suspension. Benjamin was issued a citation for expired registration, driving while under a twelve-point license suspension, as well as OVI. Benjamin was given his copy of the citation, as well as the BMV2255 and his breath test refusal results. Benjamin was released to his father, Brian Townsend. The vehicle was towed by Hot Rod’s to their lot.
Wanted Person
On 03-10-2024 at approximately 5:37 AM police made a traffic stop on the listed vehicle for expired registration. Dispatch checked both the driver and passenger’s drivers license through LEADS/NICIC. PO then learned the passenger had an active warrant through Auglaize County. The passenger, Andrew Storer, was ordered out of the vehicle. PO advised him that he was under arrest on the warrant for probation violation out of Auglaize County. He was placed in handcuffs and was patted down and placed in the back of the cruiser. He was transported to Darke County Jail and incarcerated, with no bond.
Assault
On March 11, 2024 at approximately 7:22 AM police responded to 122 W. Main Street in reference to an assault complaint. Kathy Ward came into the lobby to make a report about an incident that happened at 851 Jackson Street, Fram, on March 11, 2024 at approximately 3:50 AM. Kathy advised while she was working, one of her co-workers, Ethan Spitler, had shoved boxes in her direction, knocking over her drink. Kathy advised she went to get paper towels to clean up the mess when Ethan asked, “Are you going to be a fucking baby about it all night?” Kathy responded by saying, ”You could at least fucking apologize.” Ethan then stood up and swung his arms into boxes causing them to go in Kathy’s direction and striking her in the face. Kathy stated there was another worker close by that had observed the incident. PO observed Kathy did have minor redness to her face area but Kathy indicated she naturally suffers from having redness on her face, thus it is unknown if Kathy suffered any injuries as a result of the physical altercation. Kathy also refused to go to the hospital. Kathy was given a statement form and a victim rights form, which she filled out. On March 12, 2024 at approximately 3:46 hours, PO went out to 851 Jackson Street, Fram, to get a witness statement from Angela Schmitt. Angela stated she witnessed Ethan knock Kathy’s drink over and heard them exchange words while Kathy was cleaning up the mess. Angela stated after Ethan had hit the boxes into Kathy’s direction, he told her, “I can’t work with you bitch.” Anglea mentioned Ethan purposefully hit the boxes in Kathy’s direction. Angela was given a statement form, which she completed. On March 13, 2024, PO spoke with Ethan Spitler via telephone. Ethan advised he knew the victim, and he recently worked at Fram with her. PO advised Ethan, he has a citation at the Police Department as a result of the incident. Ethan then stated, “All because I threw boxes at her? She’s claiming I hurt her with boxes?” Ethan was advised that he can come to the Police Department to pick up his copy of the citation. Ethan Spitler will be charged with assault and a statement form was left for him to fill out.
Theft
On March 7, 2024, a Det received a text message from a Lt. at 6:58 PM stating that Shane Staehler wanted to speak regarding Barberines Custom Works. The Lt. provided Stachlers contact information. On March 8, 2024, the Det reached out to Staehler. According to Staehler, on May 11, 2022 he met with Mark Barberine about getting an estimate to do some repairs on his 1997 Chrysler Sebring convertible. After an extensive chat a quote was drown up totaling $5,019.14. Staehler went to the bank and withdrew the money from his saving account and paid Barberine for the agreed upon repairs. Barberine took possession of the vehicle and provided Staehler with a copy of the estimate showing the balance was paid in full. Staehler stated Barberine assured him that his vehicle would be finished by summer. The vehicle was not completed as before summer. Staehler kept reaching out to Barberine for updates and continuously asked for completion dates, to which Barberine would not reply to or provide. Please see the time line and text messages for best reference. As of March 11, 2024, Staehler still does not have his vehicle back, and is currently unaware of its location. This case was submitted to the Darke County Prosecutors Office for one count of Felony Theft by Deception under Ohio Revised Code Section 2913.02 (A)( 3).
Theft
On December 5, 2023, a Det received a voicemail from the complainant/ victim, David Miller, advising that he was one of many people who had been scammed by a businessman in Greenville and requested the Det. return his call. The Det. called Miller and spoke to him. Miller stated that he had found a restoration ad in the local newspaper when he lived in Celina Ohio for Barberines Restoration Service and in May of 2020 he took his 1960 Chevrolet Impala in for restoration and paint. Miller gave owner/operator, Mark Barberine, a $1,000 dollar check as a deposit. Miller advised Barberine quickly started sanding on the car, so in July of 2020 Miller brought him two additional cars he wanted restored and painted. These vehicles were a 1979 Chevrolet Camaro, and a 1966 Pontiac LeMans in which a $2,000 dollar deposit was paid along with the following addition payments: $200 on 12/2/2020, $300 on 1/6/2021, $300 on 12/4/2021, $300 on 2/1/2022, $300 on 2/27/2022, $300 in April 2022. Additionally, in August of 2020 Barberine picked up Millers 1973 Chevrolet Corvette for some insurance work. The work consisted of body repairs, convertible top repairs, and paint. Millers insurance company, which was Hagerty, issued a $3,000 check for the repairs. The vehicle was not completed as agreed upon, and on January 12, 2022 Barberine filed a second insurance claim through Hagerty on Millers vehicle which wasn’t needed. Over the course of that first year Miller stated that Barberine made little to no progress on his vehicles. According to Miller, Barberine claimed for nearly a year that his vehicles were ready for paint, but that Barberine always had an excuses as to why he wasn’t getting them finished. Those excuses ranged from paint booth issues, building issues, employee issues, family issues, ect. Miller stated he would regularly ask for updates regarding his vehicles, but wouldn’t get any, and that Barberine would go silent for months at time. In February 2023, nearly 3 years after dropping his vehicles off, Miller removed his vehicles from Barberine’s business. The vehicles were in worse condition than when they were dropped off, and nowhere near completion. Miller gave Barberine a total of $5,000 dollars in cash, in addition to receiving $3,000 in insurance money on a fraudulent claim. On March 13, 2024, at approximately 8:47 AM the Det.I contacted Hagerty Insurance and spoke to a representative from their fraud department. The Det. passed on the information Miller shared regarding the insurance claims. The representative advised he would open an investigation and look in to the matter. This case was submitted to the Darke County Prosecutors Office for 4 counts of Theft by Deception under Ohio Revised Code Section 2913. 02(A)(3).
Sex Offense
On March 12, 2024 at approximately 6:32 PM police responded to the Greenville Police Department in reference to a sex offense. PO made contact with the complainant, Sasha Dickie, and her 16 year old daughter who will be referred to as CV (Child Victim), in the lobby. Sasha stated she was made aware today, by the CV, of multiple incidents that have occurred while the CV has been at work. The CV works at 401 Wagner Avenue; El Carreton Mexican Grill. The CV told Sasha that over a course of multiple weeks, her boss and owner of the business, Ciro “Victor” Rivera, has been making sexual advances towards her. The CV advised that she began employment at El Carreton in late December of 2023. The CV stated that briefly after she started working there, Ciro began to touch her hips, thighs, breasts, and butt while he would walk by her in the restaurant. The CV stated this touching would happen primarily when she was around the cash register or in the back hallway. The CV stated that she explicitly told him multiple times that she was uncomfortable with this touching. She advised Ciro would then ask “why” and laugh about it as he would walk away. The CV stated that also during this time, Ciro began texting her phrases late at night such as, “you did a good job today pretty girl”, “you look good.” The CV also stated that on February 25, 2024 Ciro bought her 2 expensive perfumes stating they reminded him of her and to not tell her mother about them. The CV stated a main incident occurred on Wednesday, February 28, 2024 when she arrived for work at approximately 5 PM. The CV stated that around 5:30 PM that night, Ciro pulled her into the office and closed the door. She stated that once the door was closed, Ciro non-consensually pushed her up against the door, with his hands on her butt and boobs, began kissing her and, “started putting his tongue down my throat.” The CV stated she pushed him off and walked out of the office crying. The CV stated since this incident, Ciro has only grabbed her by waist. Sasha stated that after the CV advised her of these incident, she contacted Ciro by phone. He advised her that he was currently at his Versailles location, Mi Casa. Sasha advised she drove there and confronted Ciro about the incident. She stated Ciro confessed to what occurred in the office on February 28, and continuously stated he was sorry to Sasha. Sasha also stated that during this conversation, Ciro admitted to texting the CV late at night and buying her the perfumes. Sasha advised at the end of the conversation Ciro was on his knees apologizing and begging her “not to call Policia.”. At the end of our interview, Sasha called Ciro on his personal number. Ciro answered and Sasha asked him more about the incident. In this phone call, Ciro stated multiple times that he was sorry and he made a mistake. Ciro also confessed that the incident did happen. Ciro admitted to buying the CV the perfumes and texting her at night. Both Sasha and the CV filled out written statements. Sasha completed a victim’s rights form on the CV’s behalf. Ciro came to the Greenville Police department at approximately 9:20 PM and was served his copy of the citation and advised of his court date-time.