Burglaries continue to plague Richland County as 16 cases have been reported already for December. Fifteen of them were classified as breaking and entering and one was a robbery. Six reports were made on December 16 for an area immediately north of Bellville. Areas like that, with rural homes, are vulnerable targets and according to the sheriff’s department, the holidays generate even more criminal activity.
According to a recent Richland County Sheriff’s Office report, officers were dispatched to a residence located on Mansfield-Washington Rd. on Wednesday, Dec. 11, where a burglary was in progress at about 5:30 p.m.
The victims said that four white males were at their residence upon their returning home. When they found him at their home, Trent Workman, 19, told the victims that he and his companions were “looking for land to hunt on,” the report stated. Meanwhile, one of the suspects could be seen running out of the residence with a black bag through the woods and through the neighbor’s yard.
Workman, Cody Rush, 19, and James McClurg, 20, were all charged with burglary and transported to the Richland County Jail. The final suspect has yet to be identified, said Capt. Eric Bosko. The investigation is ongoing.
The stolen items include $20 in U.S. currency, women’s jewelry worth about $1,000, a Kindle Fire HD, and a digital camera. Bosko stated that the Sheriff’s Department has recovered some of the evidence, but is still investigating the issue.
On December 16, six reports were filed. Five of the incidents were reported on Possum Run Rd., Mansfield, north of Bellville, and one was on Rinehart Rd., Bellville. A few involved valuables stolen from vehicles.
According to the sheriff department’s report, a local mail carrier called 9-1-1. She was delivering a packaged to the Rinehart Road residence when she noticed a suspect sitting in his truck that was backed up to the garage of the victim’s home. When she approached the suspect and asked what he was doing, he stated that he and a friend were looking for an area business. The man was wearing a dark Carhart jacket and a stocking cap.
The mail carrier told the suspect that he was on the wrong side of the town. The suspect started his truck and left the drive. The mail carrier delivered the package to the door of the home and noticed that the door had been forced open. That was when she called 9-1-1.
Upon investigating, sheriff’s department personnel identified footprints leaving the residence that did not match the mail carrier’s. The tracks were followed away from the home but the second suspect was not found. A search of the home revealed opened drawers and opened Christmas gifts.
With a description from the mail carrier, a sheriff’s officer enroute to the scene recognized a vehicle fitting the description on Washington South Rd. The suspect was subsequently taken into custody and was later identified by the mail carrier as the man she saw at the residence.
Though southern Richland County homes have recently been targeted, Capt. Bosko explained that the perpetrators move around and will focus on a new location when the law enforcement and residents become more vigilant.
“They have extended to other areas,” said Bosko. Multiple groups are part of the problem. “The problem we’re seeing now is it’s not just one set group,” explained Bosko, “Yesterday I think there were two groups operating in one area. It used to be you didn’t see that. They’ll move and that’s what makes it so difficult. And they’re going to multiple counties; it’s multiple groups and multiple jurisdictions.”
To help mitigate the issue, he stated the Richland County Sheriff’s Department is concentrating on watching areas that appear to be targeted more so than others. He added that the department is conducting interviews and taking reports on suspects and witnesses to help identify burglary patterns. They’re also communicating with the Patrol Bureau to relay that information.
Additionally, a detective has been placed on second shift to attend the scene of any crime. “For instance, she responded to the last burglary call and worked with the Patrol Bureau in the interview process. Now with her being on that shift she can actively participate in the interviews and speak with suspects and witnesses,” said Bosko.
Citizen action is invaluable and Bosko pointed to the example of the mail carrier. “She saw it was suspicious and she called. That’s exactly what we want. It’s so valuable that people call and provide information,” stated Bosko. Delivery employees like the US Postal Service and UPS often are able to report suspect activity.
Neighborhood Watch groups and citizen awareness also help deter the activity. If residents are interested in starting a Neighborhood Watch, they are encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Office and speaking with the Community Policing Section, which will then organize a program.
“The assigned deputies will meet with the neighbors and help them set up a meeting in which they will be educated on what to look for, along with creating signage in the area to help deter burglaries. They’ll also help coordinate bringing in guest speakers on crime prevention and other topics,” Bosko said.
Residents can contact Community Relations Deputy Gary Kiener for more information about starting a Neighborhood Watch program at 419-774-3571. Residents can help protect one another by knowing their neighbors.
“She saw it was suspicious and she called. That’s exactly what we want. It’s so valuable that people call and provide information,” stated Capt. Eric Bosko.
Capt. Eric Bosko explained that all crime increases during the holidays, and notably burglary, robbery, and breaking and entering, because homeowners are away from their homes more, more valuable items can be found in the form of gifts, and valuables are left in parked vehicles.
Bosko also stated that all of the recent activity has been drug-related, specifically to heroin. “Right now, of the groups we have, they’re 100 percent drug related—all heroin,” stated Bosko. Perpetrators do not necessarily sell stolen goods at pawn shops, so it’s more difficult to reclaim stolen items. Stolen items may be exchanged for drugs or given to friends and family members of the criminals.
