Thieves Hit Nativity Scene, Charities

Stealing From Charities

Just after midnight, officers spotted a woman removing items from a donation box for Nationwide Children’s Hospital near Kroger. Police approached and asked the woman if the property belonged to her. She returned the clothing to the boxes. Officers warned her not to take items from the boxes.

A Robinson Avenue caller reported someone inside the fence at Goodwill just before 2 pm. Officers could not locate the suspect.

At 5:50 another caller reported a man and woman in the back alley behind Goodwill on Robinson Avenue. The caller said the people took items from inside the fence and were spotted leaving them on a nearby porch.

Stealing From Baby Jesus

Just before 1 am, a caller reported someone stealing items from the nativity in front of Holy Redeemer Church.

The caller said the man didn’t appear to make off with anything. Police looked for him but could not locate the guy.

Grand Theft Auto

Just after 5 pm, a caller reported a van stolen from Mound Street. Police issued a BOLO.

B & E

An 8^th Street caller reported a man inside a vacant home on 8^th street at 6 am. When police investigated, they found two people inside, a man and a woman.

The man claimed he knew the late owner of the home. NBPD had an active warrant for the woman. Officers transferred her to the custody of NBPD.

Identify Theft

Another case of identity theft involving unemployment. At 8:40 am, a Front Street caller reported someone used their information to file for unemployment on December 27.

At 1:21 pm, another caller reported someone used her information to falsely file for unemployment. Officers advised her to contact Ohio Job and Family Services to file a fraud report.

Trashy situation

Officers once again answered a call to Harding Avenue about a trashy situation. Just before 9 am, they spoke with the resident of a home where there was a safe stashed outside in the weeds. Additionally, trash was piled up and it appeared the residents were burning things.

The resident said another man stole the safe, burned the items, and trashed the yard. Police could find no reports about a stolen safe. They took pictures of the mess and forwarded them to code enforcement.

Officers spoke with a neighbor who had complained about the mess. They explained that the process of correcting these issues can be a long one.

Just after 1 pm, a Health Department official gave the residents a week to make progress in cleaning up the property.

Get Out And Stay Out

Police responded to SOMC for a report of a man refusing to leave the property just before 9:30 am. Officers transported the man to a 6^th Street address

A Daniels Drive property owner called police at 9:50 am to complain about a man who continually trespasses on his property. The man is known to steal and break into property. Police advised the property owner to call them if they spot the guy on their property again.

Under The Influence

• A Grandview Avenue caller reported a man staggering around at 11:42 am. Police found the guy about 5 minutes later. They said he appeared to be able to take care of himself.
• Officers received two calls just after 1 pm about a couple arguing about drugs on Gallia Street. Police said the argument wasn’t physical and they advised the parties to calm down.
• A vehicle stop on Endicott Avenue at 1 pm, turned up a bunch of used syringes and a driver without a valid license. Police issued a summons for the syringes, issued a driving under suspension citation, and had the car towed.
• A dope deal gone bad ended with a window broken out of a room at the Royal Inn on Kendall. A woman also sustained a cut on her head just after 1:30 pm. Police took information for a report.

DOA

A body was discovered at an Auburn Avenue home at noon. The coroner said there was no need for an autopsy.

A local funeral home dispatched a vehicle to pick up the deceased.

Indecent Exposure

• At 12:39 pm, officers received an indecent exposure report from Washington Avenue. A woman reported a man exposed himself to her. The man was currently standing at the end of Denny’s Auto Sales lot wearing a blue parka. Officers advised him to leave the area.
• Just before 2 pm, a caller reported a man passed out with his pants down behind the Riverview Retirement Center. The man was gone when police arrived.

Just Moving In

A Mound Street caller reported people taking items out of a home just before 1 pm. It turned out the pair were actually moving into the home.

Hey! That’s My Stuff

• A Kendall Avenue caller reported a catalytic converter missing from at parked vehicle at 2 pm. Police took information for report.
• At 4:29 pm, a woman told police her son stole $980 from her wallet. Officers took information for a report.
• A caller reported several subjects attempting to break into mailboxes in front of 1802 Kendall at 6:38 pm. Police said one box was broken. They notified PMHA.

Whose Hole Is This, Anyway?

There’s a hole at Gallia and Ira Street, but whose responsibility is it? Police were on the scene just after 5 pm to investigate.

The hole originally was the responsibility of GTE, which isn’t there anymore. The city’s sewage supervisor told police there had been four calls about the problems.

After contacting the service department, they learned there are live lines belonging to Frontier down in the hole. Police contacted Frontier and the company scheduled someone to come fix the hole on January 7.

Stealing From Clients

A client at a local crisis home claimed a staff member took money from his bank account. The manager at the center told police they were doing an internal investigation.

Followed By Strange Men

A woman called the police at 9:14 pm to report that two men were following her down Gallia and yelling at her.

The men eventually went into the woods and left her alone.