The Enquirer

LEBANON - Four men face theft charges after authorities say they stole nearly $15,000 in cash and merchandise from a Middletown sporting goods store where they worked.

Myron Pendleton, 42, of Middletown, was charged with theft and grand theft; James Kirk, 19, of Camden; Michael L Byrne, 18, of Waynesville; and James T. Gray, 19, of Camden, were all charged with theft. The charges, released Monday, are felonies.

The men worked at Dunham's Sports in Towne Mall and are charged with using fictitious refunds to obtain cash and clothing.

"They would make up people who supposedly were returning items to the store," Warren County Prosecutor Rachel Hutzel said. "There would be a (fake) refund. In addition they were also just taking merchandise off the shelves and out the back door. They were caught through inventory records."

The alleged thefts occurred from December 2003 to April 27, Hutzel said.

Husband indicted in shooting death

A Northside man was indicted Monday on aggravated murder charges in the shooting death of his wife.

Prosecutors said Douglas Robinson, 48, shot and killed his 54-year-old wife, Patricia, because he was distraught over being evicted from their home. They said Patricia Robinson was morbidly obese and her husband feared she would not survive as a homeless person.

Robinson, a former court reporter in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court, faces life in prison if convicted.

Dog attack ordered, police report says

MADISON TOWNSHIP - A Butler County man is accused of ordering his pit bull to attack a 16-year-old boy. A man who was trying to protect the teen shot and wounded the dog.

John R. Parsley Jr., 21, was arrested Monday on a felonious assault charge and four misdemeanors: aggravated menacing, telecommunications harassment, having a dangerous dog and aggravated trespassing.

He was arrested after a confrontation just after midnight.

Witnesses told Butler County sheriff's deputies that Parsley had argued with the teen and his companions over a stolen bike. The witnesses allege Parsley had made threatening phone calls then later showed up and "gave the command to attack," the report says.

As the dog chased the teen, another man grabbed a gun and shot the dog in the left shoulder - after the dog had bitten the teen.