17-year-old responsible for vehicle break-ins
By Brad Bauer, bbauer@mariettatimes.com
A 17-year-old Marietta boy has confessed to being responsible for dozens of recent vehicle breaking and enterings across Washington County, deputies said Tuesday.
The youth, and several others now wanted by authorities, are also responsible for the theft of a truck and a car from the Lower Salem area that was involved in a pursuit with the Ohio Highway Patrol. The vehicles were abandoned and the youths escaped on foot.
"It was like a sport to them," said Washington County Sheriff Larry Mincks. "They called 'car shopping.'"
Mincks said the teen and his friends would wait until dark and target an area in search of unlocked vehicles.
In addition to the Lower Salem vehicle thefts, Mincks said the boy admitted to being involved in thefts in Devola, Reno, Vincent, and Marietta.
In Marietta, 35 such breaking and enterings were reported in March alone.
Money, chain saws, flashlights, CDs and several guns were among items taken from vehicles. Some of the items were sold in the Columbus area, the rest was pitched into area rivers.
"He was actually involved in so many he couldn't remember where all they had been and done," Mincks said.
The boy was being interviewed about an assault when detectives began questioning him about the breaking and enterings. Mincks said he had earlier been identified as a possible suspect.
"As a result of this investigation we expect to make at least two more arrests in the near future," Mincks said.
The names of the 17-year-old and the other suspects are not being released because they are all minors.
Mincks said it was unclear if the boys were involved in a number of vehicle thefts from the Marietta area. At least two of the vehicles were dumped into the Muskingum River. Those vehicles have yet to be recovered.
Jonah Kunz, 25, of 106 Front St., was one of the many area residents to find his vehicle had been broken into within the past few months. In fact, his 1991 Buick has been broken into twice this year.
"I don't know what to do," Kunz said. "The last time it was parked right downtown along (Greene Street). It didn't stop anything from happening."
Kunz said he has insurance, but that his deductible is $500. The cost to replace his window from the last breaking and entering was $300.
"Insurance doesn't do a lot of good," he said.
To report a theft
Marietta City Police, 373-4141
Washington County Sheriff's Office, 376-7070
By Brad Bauer, bbauer@mariettatimes.com
A 17-year-old Marietta boy has confessed to being responsible for dozens of recent vehicle breaking and enterings across Washington County, deputies said Tuesday.
The youth, and several others now wanted by authorities, are also responsible for the theft of a truck and a car from the Lower Salem area that was involved in a pursuit with the Ohio Highway Patrol. The vehicles were abandoned and the youths escaped on foot.
"It was like a sport to them," said Washington County Sheriff Larry Mincks. "They called 'car shopping.'"
Mincks said the teen and his friends would wait until dark and target an area in search of unlocked vehicles.
In addition to the Lower Salem vehicle thefts, Mincks said the boy admitted to being involved in thefts in Devola, Reno, Vincent, and Marietta.
In Marietta, 35 such breaking and enterings were reported in March alone.
Money, chain saws, flashlights, CDs and several guns were among items taken from vehicles. Some of the items were sold in the Columbus area, the rest was pitched into area rivers.
"He was actually involved in so many he couldn't remember where all they had been and done," Mincks said.
The boy was being interviewed about an assault when detectives began questioning him about the breaking and enterings. Mincks said he had earlier been identified as a possible suspect.
"As a result of this investigation we expect to make at least two more arrests in the near future," Mincks said.
The names of the 17-year-old and the other suspects are not being released because they are all minors.
Mincks said it was unclear if the boys were involved in a number of vehicle thefts from the Marietta area. At least two of the vehicles were dumped into the Muskingum River. Those vehicles have yet to be recovered.
Jonah Kunz, 25, of 106 Front St., was one of the many area residents to find his vehicle had been broken into within the past few months. In fact, his 1991 Buick has been broken into twice this year.
"I don't know what to do," Kunz said. "The last time it was parked right downtown along (Greene Street). It didn't stop anything from happening."
Kunz said he has insurance, but that his deductible is $500. The cost to replace his window from the last breaking and entering was $300.
"Insurance doesn't do a lot of good," he said.
To report a theft
Marietta City Police, 373-4141
Washington County Sheriff's Office, 376-7070
