One of 19 men charged in what prosecutors called a multimillion-dollar theft ring was sentenced Monday to spend three years on probation and to pay $100 restitution to the state.

Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Thomas Crush sentenced Belal Husein on charges of receiving stolen property and illegal use of food stamps. Husein pleaded guilty to the charges March 10.

Husein, an employee at Best for Less Market on Vine Street, was also sentenced to 27 days in the Hamilton County Justice Center, where he was credited with time served. Husein, who is moving to Texas, was ordered to pay restitution before he leaves the state.

Husein and 18 other people were charged in October in a 105-count indictment that included charges of conspiracy, money laundering, receiving stolen property and tampering with records. Authorities said the ring stole merchandise to resell at corner stores. Three others were convicted of charges related to the theft ring and sentenced to probation. The 14 others are awaiting trial.

Officer fired gun at suspect in robbery

WALNUT HILLS - Cincinnati police are investigating a shooting by an officer at a robbery suspect Monday morning.

Officer Freddie L. Vincent Jr. shot at a man witnesses said robbed someone near the Kroger store on McMillan Street. Investigators found a gun at the scene that they said belonged to the suspect.

It was the fourth time in less than two months that a Cincinnati police officer shot or shot at a suspect.

Few other details were released, including the suspect's name. He was arrested nearby by other officers. He was not hit by Vincent's bullet.

Vincent, 35, started with the Cincinnati police in 1995. He was fired after pleading no contest in 1999 to speeding on his motorcycle and operating it without a license. He was rehired after arbitration.

Two men injured in fiery car crash

ROSS TOWNSHIP - Two men were injured in a fiery two-vehicle crash Monday afternoon on Ohio 128 that sent one vehicle airborne.

The crash occurred about 3:05 p.m. near the intersection of Morgan Lane in Butler County when a red car being pursued by a Ross Township police cruiser crashed with a white van, authorities said. The injured drivers were both conscious as they were transported by Air Care helicopter to University Hospital.

Witnesses said the red car hit the van with such force that the van "actually went up in the air'' before landing on its side, said Ross Township Fire Capt. Jim Fletcher.

It took firefighters about 20 minutes to free the driver of the van, Fletcher said.

Ross Township police officers had observed the red car traveling at excessive speed through a school zone on Ohio 128 and attempted to stop the vehicle, police said. The car sped off driving in a reckless manner - going left of center several times as it attempted to pass other southbound vehicles - prior to crashing into the northbound van, police said.r

Names and conditions for the drivers were not available late Monday.

Police charge teen with driving on lawns

MONFORT HEIGHTS - An 18-year-old Monfort Heights man was arrested Monday and charged with driving through the front lawns of 13 Monfort Heights homes.

Green Township police charged Anthony V. Ruther, of the 3400 block of Ridgewood Avenue, with criminal damaging in the incident, which occurred around 4 a.m. Sunday.

Police said Ruther drove through the front yards on Bluepine Drive, damaging grass and some mailboxes.