Police Beat
Fights, assaults, fire investigation keep GPD busy

On Sept. 28 police were dispatched to the 700 block of Martin Street regarding a large fight in the roadway. Upon arrival police observed about 20 subjects in the roadway between 745 and 750 Martin St. Broken glass was observed in the roadway and traffic was stopped going in either direction. According to witnesses it is believed to have started with a verbal argument. Others then jumped into the fight. Austin Parkman entered Ava Burkhart’s yard and knocked over her motorcycle, causing damage. Burkhart then stated she got mad and threw a coffee mug and a beer bottle at the group, striking two individuals before shattering on the street. A second officer reported Jeffrey Mills and Jeremiah Burkhart standing nose to nose taunting each other to fight. Kim Frantz interfered when the officer tried to separate Mills and Burkhart. Jeremiah Burkhart was issued a summons for disorderly conduct. Jeffrey Mills left the scene but will be issue a summons for disorderly conduct. Frantz was issued a summons for failure to disperse. Parkman was cited for criminal damaging. Ava Burkhart was cited and arrested for assault and transported to the Darke County Jail. 

On Sept. 29 police were dispatched to the alley behind 746/750 Martin St. for a fight. Jeremiah Burkhart was observed with a large piece of wood next to his garage and yelling. Austin Parkman was standing in his driveway yelling back. Both suspects continued yelling following the arrival of police; Parkman attempted to go after Burkhart. Parkman was cut off and detained briefly in the back of a cruiser. Numerous individuals were involved in the altercation which, according to Parkman and his associates, only included taunting and threats. Jeff Burkhart, who was with Jeremiah, said Parkman had hit him with a closed fist. Jeff was taken to Wayne ER where his cheek later was swollen and starting to bruise. Jeremiah was cited for Disorderly Conduct. Parkman will be cited for Assault when located. 

On Sept. 29 police were dispatched to 415 Riffle Ave. regarding an assault. The victim, Steve Thompson, was sitting on his couch with blood all over his face and a large laceration around his left elbow. He said he had been contacted by phone from someone saying he was going to kick his --- because of a woman. Fifteen minutes later there was a knock at the door and a male struck him in the face and pulled him outside. After exchanging some blows, Thompson said a male with a big Afro haircut joined in the assault. They repeatedly kicked and punched him. They then reportedly left in a 4-door silver sedan. The woman was later seen with an individual matching the description of the man who started the assault. Both the female and the male had been identified but no contact had been made by police at the time of the report.

On Sept. 26 police were dispatched to Greenville High School regarding an assault. A juvenile was to be transported to West Central but resisted arrest. It involved the assault of two officers attempting to take him into custody. Charges were filed with Juvenile Court for felonious assault. 

FIRE INVESTIGATION 

On Sept. 29 police were dispatched to the alley between Washington Avenue and Wayne Avenue for a fire to a garage. Officers blocked the intersection of Devor Street and Wayne Avenue and began evacuating houses backed up to the alley way. A witness reported seeing flashlights flickering in the area about 5:45 a.m. After the fire had been extinguished police canvased the neighborhood. Scott Stastny reported damage to the rear of 209 Wayne Ave. and possibly the roof. Others reported no visible damage. A witness reported hearing voices a little after midnight. She advised she later heard something hitting her roof and upon looking out her window saw an orange glow coming from the alley. No damage to the residence. Another witness stated he received a phone call advising him that an identified person was seen leaving a barn fire in the alley. Police attempted to contact the individual but the number was bad. Bradlee DeHart, 310 Armstrong, advised damage to the rear of his residence including siding, a window and the roof of the garage. 

CRIMINAL VANDALISM 

On Sept. 26 police were dispatched to 503 Memorial Drive regarding Jack Daniels refusing to leave the residence. Sue Shinakey said Daniels was fighting with her granddaughter. Daniels left voluntarily. Twenty minutes later there was a hang-up 911 call from the same address. Police observed several drops of blood on the front steps leading up to the door. There were more drops of blood in the house leading to the kitchen then to the back door. The overhead garage door had a broken window. It had not been broken earlier. Police went to Drury Lane, behind 503 Memorial Drive. Daniels’ right hand had a laceration around the knuckles and blood all over both his hands. Daniels claimed he punched the ground. The injury was not consistent with that of someone punching the ground. Daniels was given a summons for criminal damaging. 

DRUGS 

On Oct. 1 police were dispatched to 4780 Katzenberger Road regarding a suspicious male. Michael Williams was observed walking on Fair Street. Two officers observed him throw down a rag and a can of Auto Zone Carb Cleaner. Williams denied  it but was advised he was seen by a witness sniffing the rag and the items in his possession. During the search a sock smelling like carb cleaner was found. Williams had prior convictions for abusing harmful intoxicants so he was arrested on a Felony 5 charge and transported to Darke County Jail. 

AGENCY ASSIST 

On Sept. 26 police received a call from Darke County Dispatch advising a Red Camaro had been stolen from Ansonia and was southbound on SR 118 approaching Greenville at speeds of 100 mph. The responding officer observed the vehicle at East Russ Road and N. Broadway. The officer did a u-turn, activated siren and lights and pursued the vehicle, which immediately accelerated. The vehicle was being driven by a white female with reddish-blonde hair. The pursuit involved failure to stop at least 10 times for stop signs and speeds in excess of 100 mph. A second officer reported the Darke County Sheriff arrested the driver near Castine when the engine developed smoke and the vehicle eventually stopped. The county will be charging the driver with Felonious Fleeing and Ansonia will charge her with Stolen Vehicle. The city at this time will have no charges. 

WARRANTS 

On Oct. 1 a police officer was dispatched to the police department, advised that Ava Burkhart was there. She was arrested for Failure to Appear and transported to Darke County Jail. 

On Sept. 25 police were dispatched to the Darke County Courthouse for an active arrest warrant on Justin Fitzgerald. The warrant was for Failure to Appear on a theft charge. He was transported to Darke County Jail. 

CIVIL PROTECTION ORDER VIOLATION 

On Sept. 29 police were dispatched to a residence regarding a violation of a Civil Protection Order. The victim showed a text message from Richard Syrell. It said simply “hello.” He had a CPO on him that is in effect until June 2014. Police contacted Syrell by phone and advised he will have to be cited for violation. He said he understood and was sorry. He advised he was currently living in Georgia and refused to give police his address. Police advised him a warrant to arrest would be issued. Syrell said he would take care of it when he returned to Ohio. 

Published courtesy of The Early Bird