Traffic Stop
June 18
On June 18, 2023 at approximately 6:48 PM while on patrol, police observed the listed 2008 Cadillac SUV traveling northbound on Sweitzer Street at Eidson Road. Police checked the vehicle’s registration in LEADS/NCIC and learned that the registration expired on 11/24/2022. Police observed the vehicle make a left turn onto Eidson Road and begin traveling westbound. Police initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle and made contact with the driver, Matthew Artz. Matthew admitted to not having a driver’s license. Police checked LEADS/NCIC and learned that Matthew’s driving privileges are under the following sixteen active suspensions: A non compliance suspension with an FRA from 08/24/2018 to 08/24/2023, A non compliance suspension with an FRA from 12/20/2019 to 12/20/2024, A license forfeiture suspension from 12/25/2019 to indefinite, A non compliance suspension with an FRA from 07/24/2020 to 07/24/2025, Six separate license forfeiture suspensions from 03/24/2021 to indefinite, A twelve-point suspension with an FRA from 11/02/2021 to 11/02/2024. Two separate non compliance suspensions with an FRA from 11/12/2021 to 11/12/2026, A license forfeiture suspension from 12/12/2021 to indefinite, A non compliance suspension from 01/14/2022 to 01/14/2024, A non compliance suspension from 04/08/2022 to 04/08/2024. Matthew was issued a citation reference driving under suspension and advised of his court date. Matthew’s vehicle was stopped blocking the entrance to AES and due to the operator being suspended, it was towed by Dillmans Towing and transported to their impound lot.
Theft
June 20
On June 20th 2023, police was dispatched to 122 West Main Street, Greenville Police Department in reference to a theft/scam. Police met with Gary Sierer who advised that on 6/15/2023 he was scammed out of $84,900. Gary stated that “Geek Squad” contacted him by E-mail, advising that his subscription renew was $490.00. Geek Squad informed Gary that they mistakenly wired $84,900.00 instead of charging him the $490.00. Geek Squad contacted Gary over the phone telling him how to fix the problem. Geek Squad had Gary screen share his computer with their computer, showing a fake statement and a fake deposit of a $84,900.00 into Gary’s checking account through Greenville Federal. Geek Squad then asked Gary to rewire the money to their bank, Standard Chartered Bank out of Kowloon, Hong Kong. After transferring the money, on 6/20/2023 Geek Squad contacted Gary again asking for another $20,000.00 because the transfer can only take $20,000.00 at a time. Gary stated that he then noticed he was missing $84,935.00 from his checking account. Gary did not send $20,000.00 and went to Greenville Federal informing them of the missing $84,935.00. Greenville Federal informed Gary that there was never a deposit from Geek Squad of $84,900.00. Gary then realized that he was scammed out of $84,935.00. Greenville Federal advised Gary to file a Police Report with the Greenville Police Department. Police informed Gary that he was scammed and Geek Squad was not the real Geek Squad company, and that Geek Squad used a fake statement over the computer to make him believe that they deposited the $84,900.00 into his account. Gary stated that he has since moved his remaining money into a different account and closing the checking account. Gary was advised to stop contacting Geek Squad. Gary provided copies of the wire transfer paper bank statements, and an email from Geek Squad. On June 27th 2023 at 10:33 AM police made contact with Gary to collect a statement, and a victim’s rights form. There are no known/named suspects or further leads.
Theft
June 21
On 06/21/23 at 3:46 PM, Brian Bowers came to GPD to report that he had been scammed out of nearly $20,000. Bowers reported that he met a person identified at “Sandra Grant” on the Plenty of Fish dating site several months ago. The email “Sandra” was using was shprovo@hotmail.com. After talking with “Sandra” over time, she stated she was an antique/arts collector and asked if he would help her cash a check. Bowers agreed and a check was mailed to him from Onpoint Community Credit Union in the amount of $27,629 dated 05/18/23. The sender’s name on the check was: Debra J. Johnson 77778 Quaglia Rd. Cottage Grove, OR 97424. Bowers stated the name of the credit union seemed legitimate so he deposited the check into his account at 5/3 Bank. Bowers stated he then, over a period of several transactions, went to Casey’s General Store on Russ Rd. in Greenville, OH and sent Bitcoin to the QR Code he was provided. The total amount sent was nearly $20,000 before 5/3 Bank froze his account. Bowers has been in contact with 5/3 Bank and their fraud department. They advised him to file a report with police and then contact them back. Police provided Bowers with victim’s rights literature from the State Attorney General’s office. Bowers emailed a copies of the check and receipts to records.
Wanted Person/Fugitive from Justice
June 23
On June 23, 2023 at approximately 7:21 AM police located a known wanted fugitive at the intersection of Martin Street and Gray Avenue. Police was on routine patrol when police noticed Faith Fellers and Furman Kiser walking eastbound on the sidewalk in the 100 block of Martin Street. Faith is known to have active warrants out for her arrest. Police ran Faith through LEADS/NCIC and discovered that she had an active felony warrant out of Jay County Indiana. Police caught up to Faith at the intersection of Martin Street and Gray Avenue. Police exited the cruiser and approached Faith. Police informed Faith of the warrant and placed her into handcuffs. Dispatch ran Faith through LEADS/NCIC and confirmed that Faith had the active felony warrant out of Jay County Indiana for possession of amphetamine with no bond. Faith was searched incident to arrest and no contraband was located. Police then transported Faith to the Darke County Jail where she was incarcerated with no bond.
Theft
June 22
On June 22nd 2023, at approximately 3:26 AM police was flagged down by a male subject, later identified as the victim, Drew Donovan, in the 400 block of Tecumseh Street in reference to a theft/scam. Drew informed police that he received a call at his residence, 619 E. Fifth St. from someone portraying to be with the Internal Revenue Service “IRS”, telling Drew that he was under investigation for money laundering and aiding terrorism. The unknown male advised that he was an investigator by the name of Daniel B. Robinson and told Drew that he needed to withdraw $2,000.00 from his bank account and take it to Walmart service center in order to send it to the IRS. The male told Drew the $2,000.00 would be deposited into a secure bank account to avoid having a warrant for his arrest. The male instructed Drew to stay on the phone while he made the transaction. The male e-mailed Drew a barcode to give to the Walmart service center to send the money to the IRS. Drew withdrew $2,000.00 from his bank then went to Walmart, 1501 Wagner Ave. on June 22nd and sent the money at 3:03 PM. After sending the money a woman on the phone interrupted the phone call informing Drew that he was scammed. On the way home from Walmart it was then when Drew flagged police down informing police of the incident. Police then informed Drew that this was a scam and there was no warrant for his arrest. Police advised Drew to block the phone numbers that called him. Drew then provided a written statement, a copy of the receipt from Walmart, a copy of the email with the barcode sent by the IRS, and he completed a victim’s rights form. There is no Daniel B. Robinson in Spillman and both numbers, 202-326-2222 and 425-230-2062 were called back by Drew and were answered by the scammer. Nothing further at this time.
Vandalism
June 23
On June 23rd 2023, at 11:52 AM police was dispatched to the 100 block of North Broadway Greenville, Ohio 45331 in reference to a vandalism to the listed white Chevrolet pickup truck. Police observed the listed white Chevrolet pickup truck bearing Ohio PLF4516, with all of its airbags deployed. The pickup truck was stopped at a stop sign at the intersection of Whallon Street and North Broadway beside Maid Rite’s parking lot. Police made contact with the driver, Chris Sweigart who stated that he was stopped at the stop sign on Whallon Street facing west towards North Broadway, when looking out for on coming traffic he heard a loud boom, then all the listed truck’s airbags deployed. Chris stated he did not know anyone who would have done this, he advised that he was eating at Maidrite and did not have any confrontations with anyone while he was there. Chris did not see anyone throw anything or cause the loud boom. A witness statement was completed by Chris was added to this report. Upon further investigation red, white, and blue torn papers resembling, a piece of a firework were found underneath and around the listed truck laying on the street. There was also burn marks on Whallon Street that were consistent with an explosion on the driver’s side of the truck. Police spoke with a witness, Sally Lephart who was in Maidrite who stated that a dark older style Chrysler Van was heading northbound on North Broadway. The van slowed had a white male arm outside the passenger side window, throwing what appeared to be a stick rolled up with white paper with one end on fire and the other end with smoke coming out of it. Sally then stated that the van drove away heading northbound, driving through the stop sign at the intersection of North Main Street and North Broadway, heading west on North Main Street. After driving off Sally then heard a loud explosion then the white chevy pickup truck airbags deployed. A statement was left with Sally who will email her statement when completed. Contact was made with Maidrite Sandwich shop staff who advised they will make contact with their security company to get video footage of the incident. Contact was made with the truck owner, Dan Segar (owner of Midwest Machinery. He was advised of the incident involving his company’s truck being damaged. The insurance information was provided by Dan. Dan advised that he wanted a report for the damage and was advised of his victim rights. Photos were taken of the scene by police. At this time there are no leads on a suspect and police will follow up with Maidrite to review their surveillance video when they obtain it.
Warrant
June 23
On June 23, 2023 at approximately 9:28 PM police responded to 323 East Main Street reference a wanted person inside the residence. Upon entering the front porch, police could see who they immediately recognized as Jonathan Oakes sitting in a room on the 1st floor of the residence. Dispatch had previously confirmed that Jonathan has a Darke County Sheriff’s Office felony warrant for ten counts of pandering obscenity involving a minor with no bond. Dispatch confirmed the warrant and police placed Jonathan into handcuffs. Police then transported Jonathan to the Darke County Sheriff’s office jail where he was released to staff.
Pursuit
June 24
On June 24th, 2023, at approximately11:12 PM police was advised by other police of a motorcycle at a high rate of speed near the Greenville City Circle. Police was able to locate the vehicle on Hamilton Street near Devor Street. Police observed the vehicle go through the parking lot of Subway on Martin Street and onto Twelfth Street before heading Towards Gray Avenue. Police observed the vehicle fail to stop at numerous visible stop signs, and failed to signal turns, and was speeding through city in a reckless manner. This vehicle also had the appearance as the same motorcycle that had been fleeing from officers several other times in Greenville and in Darke County Ohio. A traffic stop was initiated with emergency lights and sirens on Hiddeson Avenue near Sater Street for stop sign, turn signal, reckless operation. The motorcycle failed to stop and a pursuit was initiated. The vehicle traveled east on Sater Street towards Sebring Warner Road. The motorcycle then turned from Sebring Warner Road onto US 127 South. Police continued the pursuit until Weavers Ft. Jefferson Road at which time police terminated the pursuit. During the pursuit police ran the license plate HJL25 which returned not on file. The suspect was also wearing a helmet so police was unable to identify. The subject appeared to be white male, approximately 6 foot and approximately 230 pounds. The subject was wearing jeans, black t-shirt, red/black tennis shoes, and had a black Nike backpack on his back. Police was in route back to the city when police was dispatched back to Sebring Warner Road reference a complaint about the same motorcycle being enroute back to the city. Police continued back to the city and towards the area I thought the vehicle may be heading but the vehicle was never located. Police returned to Greenville Police Department and reviewed the cruiser video. At this time police was able to realize during the pursuit police ran the wrong license plate and the correct plate was HGL25. The license plate HGL25 returned to a Emily Mowery out of Lima but when checking the VIN it was confirmed Brandon Middaugh just recently registered a license plate to the same motorcycle with the same VIN, KOZ29. Versailles Police Department checked an address in their city and located a motorcycle matching the description as the suspect motorcycle but the license plate was KOZ29. The bike was warm to the touch and it is believed that the motorcycle is the same but the plates are being switched back and forth.
Wanted Person
June 24
On June 24, 2023 at approximately 4:21 PM police responded to 116 Ludlow Street reference a wanted persons complaint. The Greenville Police Department received an order of hold for David Daniels on June 24, 2023 reference a parole violation through the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. Officers were permitted to enter the residence by a Graham House employee, and David was located upstairs in a bedroom. David was placed into handcuffs. David was then transported to the Darke County Sheriff’s Office jail where he was released to staff.