Two arrested in theft ring case
By Maria Lindsay
GREEN — Two members of a suspected theft ring targeting large department stores in the Cleveland area were arrested in Green Dec. 26 by a Summit County Sheriff’s Office deputy.
Theresa Elkins, 41, of Wadsworth Road in Norton, and Terri Lisle, 38, of Wilbur Avenue in Akron, were arrested when Summit County Sheriff’s Office Special Services Deputy Tom Hooper noticed their vehicle matched the description of a bulletin sent to area law enforcement agencies by the Avon Police Department.
“It is nice to see when
one of those bulletins works and leads to an arrest,”
said Sgt. Brian Westover, of the Sheriff’s
Office.
Westover explained Hooper spotted
the wanted vehicle, a white 1998 Mercury Mountaineer,
in the parking lot of Kleckner Elementary School, at
Thursby and Greensburg roads, during routine patrol
at about 11:30 p.m.
He added Hooper found $2,700
worth of stolen merchandise, including a variety of
stereo and DVD equipment for home and auto use, cameras,
cordless telephones, video games, movies, MP3 players,
Sony PlayStation game systems, as well as bedding, clothing
and toys packed into the back of the vehicle.
Elkins and Lisle were arrested
without incident on charges
of receiving stolen property and are currently in the
Summit County Jail awaiting an appearance in Summit
County Common Pleas Court.
According to Avon Police Lt.
Keith Haag, Elkins and Lisle, along with a third suspect,
Billy Kennedy, allegedly stole merchandise from the
Avon Wal-Mart Dec. 26. Haag said the group worked by
disarming the fire alarm on a back door in the store,
filled a cart with electronic items and exited the store
through the disabled door and into a waiting vehicle.
The Avon incident was caught on tape by security cameras.
Westover said the trio is
suspected of being involved in
similar thefts. He also stated Avon Police interviewed
Elkins and Lisle and other charges are pending.
A warrant has been issued for
Kennedy, 33, of Wilbur Avenue in Akron. He is described
as a white male, 5-feet, 7-inches tall, 152 pounds,
with short brown hair and green eyes. Anyone with information
on him is asked to call the Summit County Sheriff’s
Office radio room at (330) 643-2181 or Crimestoppers
at (330) 434-2677.
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