Sommers

Thursday's sniper arrest was not the first time that Dale Sommers, the 18-year overnight DJ on WLW-AM (700), has helped solve a crime.

Mr. Sommers, 58, known to truck drivers as "The Truckin' Bozo," also helped authorities apprehend a robbery suspect near Camilla, Ga., in 1986.

"The Bozo" was chatting off the air with a regular caller known as the "Mississippi Lady," from a 24-hour convenience store, when he heard her tell someone, "You can't come back here."

The woman, later identified as Linda Driskill, hung up the phone. The Cincinnati DJ called Camilla police, who were familiar with WLW-AM's Bozo Show and a store clerk with that nickname.

Within minutes, an officer apprehended the robber, who immediately confessed. Mr. Sommers was profiled in People magazine.

Mr. Sommers, a Clermont County resident, came to WLW-AM in 1984 from WDAF-AM in Kansas City. Through Clear Channel radio, he has established the Truckin' Bozo Radio Network of stations that simulcast his show in Boise, Idaho; Salt Lake City; Casper, Wyo.; Des Moines, Iowa; and Wheeling, W.Va.

Mr. Sommers noted with pride Thursday that Ludlow truck driver Ron Lance was listening to him in Maryland on 50,000-watt WLW-AM.

"He told me that he just pulled into the rest area and he heard me give the description on the radio," says Mr. Sommers, who recently renewed his contract through 2009.

"He told one of the TV networks that he blocked the rest area driveway with his truck," Mr. Sommers says.

"I talked to him later on the phone and told him, "You have no idea how many lives you may have saved.' "

John Kiesewetter

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