Police Beat
Armed robbery, DUI and domestic violence

On Dec. 17 police responded to an armed robbery at Papa Johns restaurant, 1111 E. Main St. The manager of the store advised an unknown male subject entered wearing a black ski mask with a black hockey mask over his face. He also wore a green hoodie, dark jeans and black gloves. The suspect displayed a knife approximately eight inches long and demanded the money in the cash register. The suspect then ran northeast toward East Main. No leads or suspects at this time.

DUI

On Dec. 22 police were dispatched to E. Park Drive and Wilson Avenue regarding a vehicle stuck in water that overflowed from two ponds in the area. The area was clearly marked as being closed to vehicular traffic. The road was flooded with approximately two feet of water. Darla Harris was sitting in her vehicle, surrounded by water, and refused to exit her vehicle. The officer waded to the vehicle and noticed Harris had slurred speech, glassy bloodshot eyes and a strong odor of alcohol. Harris was led back to dry land; she said she did not see the signs or the water until too late. She refused to submit to a field sobriety test and was arrested and taken to the police department. Harris also refused to take the breath test and became belligerent. She was cited for driving on a closed road and OVI (Operating a vehicle under the influence), and released to her daughter.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

On Dec. 19 police were dispatched to Gray Avenue regarding a physical domestic dispute. The victim advised she and her fiancé, Brad Smith, were engaged in a verbal altercation over an issue regarding Facebook. She accidently brushed shoulders with Smith who then became upset and began pushing her and pulling her hair. He hit her in the face, busting open her lip, and began choking her. She said she began choking him back and doing whatever else was necessary to defend herself. Police observed her lip was swollen and bleeding slightly. There was redness around her neck. Smith told police the victim had started it by pushing him but refused to say what he did to retaliate. He showed no signs of physical injury. He was arrested for domestic violence and transported to the Darke County Jail.

THEFT/BURGLARY

On Dec. 23 police were dispatched to 114 Oxford Dr. regarding the theft of medication from a vehicle. Brandy Ross said someone stole medications out of her unlocked vehicle sometime over the weekend. The car had been rifled through; the middle console, where the medications were, was still open. No suspects.

On Nov. 30 police responded to 107 Hilltop Dr. regarding a house burglary. The resident, Shareece Kenworthy, advised the front door was open when she came home. There was also damage to a bathroom door and a broken exterior window. No one was in the house and no items had been taken. Kenworthy did not wish to file a report, however the owner, Barbara Bricker, asked to file one for insurance purposes. No suspects.

On Dec. 18 Police responded to CVS Pharmacy, 1009 E. Main St., regarding the theft of approximately nine 100 oz. bottles of Tide laundry detergent. They were taken by a white female wearing a black hoodie and jeans, who left without paying for them. A partial license plate number and vehicle description resulted in a tentative identification of the suspect.

On Dec. 17 police were dispatched to 215 Tillman regarding a burglary. The victim, John Taylor, said someone broke into his residence by breaking a basement window and stole $400. Taylor also advised about Nov. 17 two firearms had also been discovered missing from his home. He said he had not contacted police before because he thought nothing could be done. No suspects.

On Dec. 18 police responded to a theft complaint from Frank Hurd, 711 E. Third St. A named suspected had reportedly taken about 80 pounds of pennies worth about $1,200 and wine valued at $100. No contact as yet with the suspect.

On Dec. 17 police responded to 535 Washington Ave. regarding a burglary. James Marlow advised an air compressor has been missing from his garage for approximately three months, as well as other tools. Marlow advised police of a possible known suspect who had been recently arrested. No other suspects.

AGENCY ASSIST

On Dec. 23 police were dispatched to 311 Hart Ave. regarding a suspected arson fire. A shed and trash bin were fully engulfed with flames. Greenville Fire Department was conducting an arson investigation. One neighbor said he notified the victim, James Gain, and told police a suspicious car had driven by at least three times a few minutes before the fire started. Another neighbor said he saw a suspicious vehicle traveling down Markwith and the alleyway a few minutes before the fire. It was a red two-door coup.

Published courtesy of Blue Bag Media