Former Mansfield trooper acquitted of tampering, theft charges

Brooks was indicted by a Richland County grand jury on two counts of tampering with evidence July 17, 2020 MANSFIELD - A former trooper with the Mansfield post of the Ohio Highway Patrol was acquitted of all charges related to missing drug evidence on Thursday in Richland County Common Pleas Court. Preston Brooks, 32, of Arlington, was indicted on ...

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Ohio police say cold case murder of 8-year-old girl solved with DNA, genetic genealogy

Cold case murder of Kelly Ann Prosser was solved using DNA and genetic genealogy June 26, 2020 An 8-year-old Ohio girl was raped and killed nearly 38 years ago by a convicted pedophile who has been dead for more than two decades, police said Friday. The cold case murder of Kelly Ann Prosser was solved using DNA and genetic genealogy, Columbus polic...

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67-year-old man arrested for Cuyahoga Falls cold case murder from more than 30 years ago


"The Cuyahoga Falls Police have never given up on this case, it's one that they've worked on tirelessly since 1987, they just didn't have the tools to catch him until now." May 28, 2020 Blatnik Cold Case By: Courtney Shaw , Joe Pagonakis Posted at 4:29 PM, May 06, 2020 and last updated 8:30 PM, May 06, 2020 CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio — After more than 30...

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Missing weapons not missing?

Firearms and a machete reported missing two months ago from an evidence room at the Sandusky County Courthouse have been found, or never were missing, or something. May 15, 2020 FREMONT — Firearms and a machete reported missing two months ago from an evidence room at the Sandusky County Courthouse have been found, or never were missing, or somethin...

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Arrest Made in 1987 Cold Case Murder of Barbara Blatnik Thanks to Genetic Genealogy


Porchlight Project, a nonprofit that provides assistance to families of the missing and murdered in Ohio, paid for DNA testing May 7, 2020 Cuyahoga Falls police today announced the arrest of 67-year-old James Zastawnik of Cleveland for the December 1987 murder of Barbara Blatnik. Blatnik was just 17 when her nude, strangled body was found near Blos...

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Delaware County cold case homicide from 1983 solved with help of DNA database

Detectives used Parabon Nanolabs, a DNA/genealogical database April 29, 2020 DELAWARE COUNTY, Ohio (WCMH) – Detectives with the Delaware County Sheriff's Office say they've solved a homicide from 1983. On October 16, 1983 the body of 15-year-old John Anthony Muncy was found by a deputy along the side of the road in northern Delaware County. Investi...

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Lawyers Discovered Long-Hidden Evidence at the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office. Now, a Death Row Inmate May Get Another Shot at Justice


Only a few weeks ago, in February, his defense attorneys found long-lost bullets that were removed from the victim's body and shell casings that were collected at the scene of the crime, all sitting in envelopes at the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office Enter Article DATE HERE Documents filed this morning with the Ohio Supreme Court argue tha...

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Ohio single mom's 1991 cold case murder solved using DNA uploaded to public genealogy site

"He's a ghost in the investigation,"​ March 13, 2020 A single mother's cold case murder in Ohio has been solved with an arrest after nearly 29 years. Rachael Johnson was 23 when she was raped, beaten, stabbed and set on fire on March 30, 1991. Her daughter was three at the time. On Thursday, Akron police charged Daniel Rees, 57, with the murder. Po...

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Former Mansfield OSHP trooper indicted on 3 criminal charges

"it was found that you mishandled seized prescription drugs and were untruthful when asked about their whereabouts, January 8, 2020​ MANSFIELD -- A former Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper at the Mansfield post has been indicted on three felony charges after an internal investigation into missing drugs seized at a car stop. According to a Dec. 27 t...

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What's lurking in TPD's evidence room? 'You name it, we got it'

Property cards dating back to the early 1900s provide a log of everything once there. Enter Article DATE HERE Every time Sgt. Edward Mack passes the box of evidence in Jane Doe's unsolved 1987 homicide, he raps his knuckles on the cardboard and tells her, "I'll find you." And sometimes, she seems to answer back — once after pulling her box he ...

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Charges filed against Columbus police detective accused of dereliction of duty

The investigation found Detective Amy Welsh mishandled evidence in a 2012 sexual assault case and a 2018 kidnapping case, according to Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein. September 18m, 2019 A Columbus Division of Police detective has been charged after an internal investigation found she failed to properly investigate sexual assault and kidnapping ...

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Retired TPD officer sentenced for firearm stolen from evidence room

Curtis Stone was sentenced to 4 years probation and 400 hours of community service. Chief Kral called the sentence 'surprisingly lenient.' Enter Article DATE HERE TOLEDO, Ohio — Retired Toledo Police Officer Curtis Stone was sentenced Monday on charges related to a firearm that was stolen from the TPD evidence room. Stone, 56, who retired in 2...

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She Was Found Strangled in a Well, and Now She Has a Name

She was finally identified through her DNA and genealogy by a nonprofit, the DNA Doe Project, Enter Article DATE HERE For 38 years, the case of the "Belle in the Well" haunted Bill Nenni, an investigator for the Lawrence County, Ohio, coroner's office. He had barely started his job when she was found in 1981—strangled and hidden inside a water...

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As officials clear backlog of rape kits, delays hit Ohio police departments

While the state has completed testing the backlog of 14,000 rape kits, that backlog is now being felt in local police departments. July 25, 2019 With survivors waiting years for answers, more than 400,000 rape kits across the country sat on shelves, untested. Now, the Bureau of Criminal Investigation has finished testing those kits in Ohio, but the...

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Clermont Sheriff: claim your stuff before it's disposed of. Items include cell phones, jewelry, firearms

The listing is varied and includes everything from seized drugs and drug paraphernalia!!!!! Enter Article DATE HERE An empty Marlboro cigarette pack, nine empty video game cases, 2 grams of heroin and more are seized items that could be disposed of by the Clermont County Sheriff's office. Hundreds of items that have been found, abandoned, stol...

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Pike County Sheriff Charles Reader indicted on 16 charges

Pike County Sheriff Charles Reader was accused in November of stealing cash seized from drug cases handled by the sheriff's office to fund a gambling problem June 28, 2019 Pike County Sheriff Charles Reader has been indicted on 16 charges stemming from allegations that surfaced in November accusing Reader of stealing cash seized from cases handled ...

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Hamilton police have a WWI veteran’s tombstone. Do you know where it goes?

Enter Headline here June 5, 2019 — The Hamilton Police Department is working to determine where a gravestone apparently meant to recognize the final resting place of a World War I veteran is supposed to be. Sgt. Richard Burkhardt said the gravestone belonging to Elick Maynard was found on the west side of town in an alley and brought to the departm...

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Former TPD property room officer enters plea in federal court

Investigators discovered the pistol previously had been recovered by police in 2015 and had been marked as destroyed April 29, 2019 A retired Toledo police officer pleaded guilty in federal court to stealing guns from the department's property room that he had falsely marked as having been destroyed. Curtis Stone, Sr., 56, of Delta, Ohio, entered a...

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Former Sugarcreek officer David Strubel pleads to midemeanor in drug theft

The missing drugs were police dog training aids. March 27, 2019 The agreement calls for Strubel to forfeit his state certification as a police officer and spend 30 days in jail. NEW PHILADELPHIA Former Sugarcreek police officer David M. Strubel accepted a plea deal Wednesday to resolve charges that he stole drugs from the State Highway Patrol. Stru...

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Cuyahoga County Sexual Assault Kit Task Force nears indictment in 800th victim’s case: By the numbers

The task force has opened cases connected to 7,001 rape kits. Enter Article DATE HERE CLEVELAND, Ohio — Cuyahoga County's Sexual Assault Task Force is close to an indictment in an 800th victim's case. "We will continue to diligently work through the backlog to bring justice for every sexual assault victim," Prosecutor Michael O'Malley said. Th...

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Campbell officer placed on leave after investigation into former chief

The internal investigation centers around accusations that former police chief Dennis Puskarcik took items from the evidence locker. March 15, 2019 CAMPBELL, Ohio - A Campbell police officer has been placed on administrative leave after an internal investigation into what officials say were "unfounded" allegations against the former chief. Accordin...

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Former Toledo officer accused of having pistol previously marked as destroyed

A former Toledo police officer is facing a federal charge after law enforcement officials say he stole a weapon and other items from an evidence room. March 8 2019 A former Toledo police officer is facing a federal charge after law enforcement officials say he stole a weapon and other items from an evidence room. While searching the home of Curtis ...

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Toledo police investigating retired officer related to missing firearm

Enter Headline here February 14, 2019 Toledo police are investigating a retired officer who worked in the department's property room after a firearm — and possibly other items — went missing. The internal breach has prompted the department to spend $10,000 on "additional security technology in the department's property room and updating policy and ...

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Details emerge from investigation into former Campbell Police Chief

Alleged to have taken items including a glass mason jar with a marijuana leaf painted on it, a Fraternal Order of Police emblem, a Crown Royal cloth bag and a liter of vodka. January 29, 2019 Documents obtained from the Bureau of Criminal Investigation shed further light on the events leading up to the resignation of former Campbell Police Chief De...

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Campbell police chief resigns after being cleared in evidence room investigation

City officials previously said that the allegation against the chief is that he allegedly removed evidence from the evidence locker room January 7, 2019 CAMPBELL, Ohio - The Police Chief for the City of Campbell has resigned after an investigation was launched against him. Police Chief Dennis Puskarcik turned in his letter of resignation to the cit...

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John Siranovic was found guilty of taking about $10,000 from an evidence room


Former Smith Township Police Chief John Siranovic was sentenced Wednesday for stealing money from a police evidence room. November 7, 2018 YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) - Former Smith Township Police Chief John Siranovic was sentenced Wednesday for stealing money from a police evidence room. A judge sentenced him to two years in prison, to be served...

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Ex chief goes on trial over missing 10k


The former Smith Township police chief, was the only person who held the key to the department's evidence room September 25, 2018 Prosecutors said Monday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court that John Siranovic, the former Smith Township police chief, was the only person who held the key to the department's evidence room, failed to show proper doc...

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UPDATE | Campbell chief placed on administrative leave

Audit found items missing from an evidence locker. December 28, 2018 CAMPBELL — Police Chief Dennis Puskarcik has been placed on leave after an internal audit found items missing from an evidence locker. Law Director Brian Macala said Mayor Nick Phillips placed Puskarcik on leave today. Macala said the audit was done at the request of the state Bur...

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Former Sugarcreek policeman David M. Strubel charged with theft of drugs, theft in office

Indicted on charges of stealing drugs from the State Highway Patrol December 29, 2018 NEW PHILADELPHIA A former Sugarcreek policeman and Garaway school resource officer has been indicted on charges of stealing drugs from the State Highway Patrol and/or the village police department. The Tuscarawas County grand jury also charged David M. Strubel, 33...

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Sugarcreek police officer David Strubel charged with stealing drugs


The criminal complaint against Strubel says that on or about Aug. 24 to Sept. 27, he took from the State Highway Patrol narcotics that were evidence and narcotics that were police dog training aids. October 4, 2018 "I was shocked and disappointed to learn of this. But this behavior cannot be tolerated. We took swift and direct action, and I commend...

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Homicide evidence never gets tossed


When you're murdered in Youngstown, they bury you twice – once in a grave and once in a file. September 30, 2018 When you're murdered in Youngstown, they bury you twice – once in a grave and once in a file. In the file, you live forever because under state law, that file and any other evidence collected in a homicide can never be thrown out, except...

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Ex-Smith Township police chief guilty of $10k theft


Guilty on charges of theft in office and grand theft for taking about $10,000 from the police department's evidence locker Enter Article DATE HERE YOUNGSTOWN John Siranovic, former Smith Township police chief, brought shame upon not only himself but all law-enforcement officers, assistant Mahoning County Prosecutor Ken Cardinal said Wednesday....

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Warren city worker convicted of theft


The lawn mower, part of evidence Warren police had collected in a series of home burglaries, was discovered missing when police were planning to return it to its owner. September 23, 2018 WARREN – A Warren city employee was found guilty today on petty theft charges involving theft of a lawn mower from the city operations department. Griffing receiv...

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Reprimand: Deputy seizes marijuana in traffic stop, doesn't report it


How deputy discarded the marijuana isn't disclosed September 10, 2018 BUTLER COUNTY, Ohio -- A Butler County deputy facing a federal lawsuit in connection with withholding and tampering with evidence received a formal reprimand, more than a year prior, for improperly disposing of evidence. The evidence in question? Marijuana. On Sept. 7, 2013, Depu...

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Police officer charged with drug trafficking


She stole medication from a suburban Cincinnati residence while there on official business and then tried to sell it. August 23, 2018 FOREST PARK, OH (FOX19) - A veteran police officer is under arrest on felony charges she stole medication from a suburban Cincinnati residence while there on official business and then tried to sell it. Ashley Meyer,...

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Kirkersville police chief overdosed on drugs he allegedly took from evidence room


James Hughes Jr., who died of a fentanyl overdose may have allegedly took the drugs from the evidence room August 1, 2018 KIRKERSVILLE, Ohio — Investigation has revealed Kirkersville Police Chief James Hughes Jr., who died of a fentanyl overdose may have allegedly took the drugs from the evidence room, officials say. Reynoldsburg police said there ...

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Ohio police chief fatally overdosed on drugs taken from evidence room, investigators say


Kirkersville Police Chief James Hughes Jr. was found unresponsive in his home May 25 and pronounced dead shortly after, August 2, 2018 An Ohio police chief died from an accidental fentanyl overdose after the drugs were removed from his department's evidence room, officials said Wednesday. Kirkersville Police Chief James Hughes Jr. was found unrespo...

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An 8-year-old Indiana girl was raped and murdered 30 years ago. Now an arrest has been made


John D. Miller, 59, was arrested Saturday outside of his home in Grabill, Indiana. July 15, 2018 FORT WAYNE, Ind. — More than 30 years after the body of 8-year-old April Tinsley was found in a northern Indiana ditch, police have made an arrest in the case. John D. Miller, 59, was arrested Saturday outside of his home in Grabill, Indiana. Fort Wayne...

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Coroner: Kirkersville Police Chief died from fentanyl overdose


The report from the coroner's office stated that two syringes were found and tested June 1, 2018 COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Franklin County Coroner's Office said Kirkersville Police Chief, James Hughes Jr., died from an acute intoxication by fentanyl. Hughes Jr. had only been working as the police chief for two months before his body was discovered by th...

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Warren City employee accused of taking lawnmower from evidence


Griffing is accused of taking the Troy-built push mower that was still in its box from the city Operation's Department and using it to cut his own grass. June 22, 2018 WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) - A Warren City employee is in trouble with the law, accused of stealing a brand new lawnmower that was evidence in an unrelated stolen property case. Dennis Grif...

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Lieutenant accused of creating hostile work environment sues Columbus Police

​McFadden is now on desk duty and in the property room, according to the lawsuit, which calls the post "humiliating" and prevents her from receiving overtime pay. June 6. 2018 COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX/WTTE) – A Columbus Police lieutenant who's under internal investigation has sued the Columbus Division of Police on behalf of , who is the subject of an ...

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Ex-Lowellville police chief guilty of theft in office, domestic violence

Police chief pleaded guilty Thursday to stealing more than $2,500 from a home while picking up a body as a coroner's investigator. Enter Article DATE HERE YOUNGSTOWN A former Lowellville police chief pleaded guilty Thursday to stealing more than $2,500 from a home while picking up a body as a coroner's investigator. A plea agreement reduced a ...

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Gibsonburg officer gives himself naloxone after seizing suspected drugs

Enter Headline here April 20, 2018 GIBSONBURG - A Gibsonburg police officer gave himself naloxone Thursday night and was taken to the hospital by EMS after handling suspected drugs seized during a traffic stop. Police Chief Paul Whitaker said Friday that Officer Michael Senyo, 34, a 10-year veteran of the department, conducted a traffic stop on Sou...

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Ex-Tiffin police secretary given jail time for stealing cash from evidence room

$45,000 she stole from a drug task force evidence room March 21, 2018 TIFFIN — A former Tiffin Police Department secretary has been sentenced to six months in jail and ordered to repay more than $45,000 she stole from a drug task force evidence room, the Ohio attorney general's office announced Wednesday. Holly England, 41, of Bascom, Ohio, was sen...

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Legal troubles continue for ex-Patrol post commander

The Delaware charges stemmed from evidence found in Elschlager's home linked to missing evidence from his time as a patrolman in the northern Columbus area. December 30, 2017 After he was convicted in Delaware County of three felony theft charges earlier this month, the former commander of the Marietta Post of the Ohio Highway Patrol still faces a ...

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BCI investigating Windham police evidence room break-in

"We don't know what's missing, and I don't want to speculate," October 24, 2017 The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, with the assistance of the Portage County Sheriff's Office, are investigating an overnight break-in at the Windham Police Department evidence room. The evidence room is not at the police station at 9621 E. Center St., but at an...

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Sewer breaks plague Marion sheriff's office (Evidence Room)

But behind the basement evidence room's locked door are boxes piled high to the ceiling, each containing evidence from crimes long gone, evidence that sheriff's office employees are slowly picking through. October 12, 2017 MARION — The sewer system in the Marion County Sheriff's Office has been causing headaches — and not just because of the smell ...

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Investigation fails to solve mystery of missing drug evidence

The mystery of what happened to 71 oxycodone pills that disappeared after being introduced as evidence in a Franklin County drug-possession trial remains unsolved after a sheriff's office investigation. Enter Article DATE HERE The mystery of what happened to 71 oxycodone pills that disappeared after being introduced as evidence in a Franklin C...

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Ohio first responders told OxiClean will clean up Fentanyl spills

A well-known household product figures prominently in new instructions given to Ohio's first responders on ways to avoid contact with the powerful and sometimes deadly opiate Fentanyl. August 17, 2017 COLUMBUS, Ohio - A well-known household product figures prominently in new instructions given to Ohio's first responders on ways to avoid contact wit...

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71 oxycodone pills go missing after jury deliberations in drug case

A Columbus defense lawyer is accusing one or more jurors of stealing 71 oxycodone pills that were discovered missing after a drug-possession trial ended last week in Franklin County Common Pleas Court. July 27, 2017 A Columbus defense lawyer is accusing one or more jurors of stealing 71 oxycodone pills that were discovered missing after a drug-poss...

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