OHIO COMPUTERS STOLEN Burglaries, thefts steal $50,000 in goods

Christmas gifts, jewelry, computer equipment, money and a Bobcat front end loader — with a value of more than $50,000 — have been reported stolen recently in burglaries and thefts in Clinton County, and are being investigated by the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office.

Clinton County Sheriff Ralph D. Fizer Jr. said this is the time of year when more burglaries and thefts are reported. “Anytime from Thanksgiving through the New Year’s more burglaries and car thefts occur when people are out shopping more,” he said.

The Christmas gifts, which included Ohio State University memorabilia, toys and clothing, valued at $1,600, was taken from the residence of Judith Ann Stewart of Snowhill Road, Sabina. Also taken were a men’s 18k gold and silver Rolex watch, an IPOD Tunes gift card for $25, 12 rings, 10 bracelets, 40 pair of earrings, a silver watch, a man’s silver rope ring, an old car tie clip, and an unknown amount of change. Several rooms in the house had been ransacked. Entry was apparently gained by kicking in a side door and it had been left propped open and the main door of the house was left open.

A large amount of computer equipment was reported missing from the home of Mark and Matthew Johnson, of Weaver Road, Sabina. “Mark advised in the computer room they had numerous computers that included laptops, monitors, hard drives and other computer equipment that totaled around $7,000,” said Deputy Jonathon Bailey of the sheriff’s office. Also taken in the burglary were a Gateway computer , two Dell Precision convertible mini-tower pc processors, an Intel Core 2 duo processor and a Netgear Gigabit ethernet switch. Also missing were several Christmas presents, a wrench and screwdriver set and several piggy banks with approximately $300 in Kennedy half dollars. Thieves apparently tried to gain entry in the back door but failed. The front door had been kicked in, Bailey said.

Jerry L. Dick, of state Route 350, Clarksville, reported four checks had been stolen from a box of checks in his trailer at Green Meadow Camp Grounds. Dick said he did not know they were missing until he got a printout of his cashed checks. Dick told Deputy Danny Wood that two of the checks were made out to Stacey West and totaled $350, and the other two were made out to Daniel Short in the amount of $400. West and Short were both at his house on Oct. 21, Dick told Wood.

A 2005 Bobcat 5250 front-end loader was reported missing from an Ireland Road property where a new home is under construction. The Bobcat is owned by James Doug Borton, president and owner of Signature Homes. Borton estimated the value of the Bobcat at $34,000.

Fizer urges the public to make sure doors and windows are locked when they do leave their homes, “If it’s in the evening, make sure to leave a few lights on inside. Do anything you possibly can to make it look like someone is at home. If you have two cars, park one in the driveway to make it look like someone is there. Most burglars are going to try to find a house where the lights are off and they’re pretty sure no one is at home.”

Most burglars will go around to the back door, he said.

“Another good thing to do this time of year, if you’re good friends with your neighbors and you know you’re going to be gone say all day, let them know you’re going to be gone so they can keep an eye on things,” Fizer said.

Residents are urged to report anything that looks suspicious. “No matter how small you think it is, if it looks suspicious, call us so we can check it out,” Fizer said.