Friday, August 28, 1998
Police are investigating a break-in at the Cincinnati Zoo in which thieves got away with about $10,000.
Someone entered a zoo office in Avondale about 3:30 a.m. Tuesdaythrough a side window and broke a safe open with a sledge hammer, police reports said.
Police have no suspect description.
Tips are being taken by Crime Stoppers detectives at 352-3040. Calls to the hot line remain anonymous, and informants can earn cash for clues that lead to arrests.
Three indicted in series of robberies
Three men were indicted Thursday, accused of participating in a string of robberies in Greater Cincinnati this summer.
A Hamilton County grand jury returned felony indictments against Errich Mincy, 20, of Kennedy Heights; Kenneth Singleton Jr., 18, of Bond Hill; and Jason Haynes, 20, of Bond Hill.
Police think the three are part of a band of robbers who have struck as many as 30 times in the past five months. In several of the robberies, victims were pistol-whipped and at least one person was shot.
The indictments spring from only a few of the 30 robberies thought to be related.
Mr. Mincy was indicted on two counts of aggravated robbery, two counts of robbery and one count of domestic violence. Mr. Singleton faces one count each of kidnapping, aggravated robbery, robbery and obstruction of justice. Mr. Haynes faces four counts of kidnapping, two counts of aggravated robbery and two counts of robbery.
Mr. Mincy was accused in the June 12 robbery of the J&K Pony Keg in Pleasant Ridge. Mr. Haynes and Mr. Singleton were accused of several robberies that same month.
Ohio River moderate on water-quality index
The Ohio River water-quality index was "moderate" for recreational use for the third straight week, Cincinnati health officials reported Thursday.
The latest reading -- based on samples collected Tuesday -- was 25. A reading from 24 to 30 indicates moderate conditions.
The index measures bacterial pollution caused primarily by sanitary sewer overflows. High levels increase the risk of infections and illness for recreational users, but pose no threat to treated drinking water.
Manhunt on for Shell station robber
SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP -- One man is being sought after a robbery shortly before 6 a.m. Thursday at the Shell gas station, 11900 Hamilton Ave.
The suspect entered the business carrying a semiautomatic handgun. The robber used the gun to threaten the station clerk and removed an unknown amount of cash from the register, police said. He fled the store and headed east toward Kemper Road. No injuries were reported.
The man was described as 20 to 35, 5-feet-11 or 6 feet tall, 160-170 pounds with brown hair and heavy facial stubble, and wearing a gray sleeveless T-shirt, blue jean shorts and black high-top gym shoes.
Police Corps offers 4-year scholarships
Police Corps college scholarships offer up to $7,500 a year for four years for students who agree to serve on a state or local police force for an equal length of time. The Police Corps also provides police forces $10,000 per participant for each year of required service.
The Police Corps was created by the 1994 Crime Act, and in addition to the Tristate, the following states are participating: Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington and the Virgin Islands.
City says site not right for Queen City Barrel
Cincinnati City Manager John Shirey doesn't think Queen City Barrel Co. is the right company for the so-called Conrail site.
In a report this week, Mr. Shirey and Economic Development Director Andi Udris said the company doesn't meet the requirements set out for the 65-acre site, which is south of River Road between Southside Avenue Bridge on the east, Idaho Street on the west and Southside Avenue on the south.
Queen City Barrel employs 150 people, which would translate to three to six jobs per acre the company would need, the report said.
"It's not a good fit," said Mr. Shirey, who called the site "a very valuable resource" for the city. The city wants a company that will generate more jobs and community support.
The city doesn't have much empty land to work with, so it's important the city uses it wisely, he said.
The city is negotiating with other companies about the site, but Mr. Shirey said he couldn't disclose their identities.
Woman killed, 3 hurt in Clermont Co. crash
OHIO TOWNSHIP -- A 35-year-old New Richmond woman was killed and three others injured Thursday in a head-on collision just south of Mount Pisgah on Ohio 132.
Sharon Belser died from injuries in the crash, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
The collision occurred just before 9:30 a.m. when the southbound vehicle Ms. Belser was in crossed the center line and struck a northbound vehicle.
Police said a passenger in the Belser vehicle, 16-year-old Abby Germann of New Richmond, and two from the other vehicle -- Ruth Riley, 47, of Independence and her 3-year-old son, Josh -- were hospitalized. Abby and Ms. Riley were in critical condition at University Hospital, while Josh was in good condition at Children's Hospital Medical Center.
Highway patrol Investigators have not yet determined what caused the crash, and it is unknown how fast each vehicle was traveling.
Tip leads to capture of last prison escapee
CLEVELAND -- The last of six inmates to escape from Ohio's only private prison, in Youngstown, July 25 was recaptured Thursday in Buffalo, N.Y. U.S. marshals and Erie County, N.Y., deputies, caught Ronald Holmes on a street about 3:15 p.m., said Dan O'Donnell, a supervisory deputy with the marshal's office in Cleveland.
An informant tipped authorities that Mr. Holmes, 40, was in Buffalo. Marshals watched the home where he was staying for a few hours Thursday and spotted him.
