Displaying items by tag: Summit County Sheriff's Office

Brittany Anderson of Akron is accused of stealing state child-care benefits and tampering with records.

According to the Summit County Sheriff's Office, Anderson, 28, used falsified documents to receive nearly $6,000 in benefits from the Department of Job and Family Services between December 2017 and May of this year.

Anderson was arrested on Monday, December 16th, on charges of felony tampering with records and felony theft of child care benefits. She's been booked into the Summit County Jail. 

The Summit County Sheriff's Office is looking for an armed robbery suspect they say held up a group of people who were meeting him to sell a pair of shoes. 

According to the report, back on November 1st, the Cordon Harris, 19, met an acquaintance and four other people to buy a pair of sneakers in the City of Green. When the group pulled up, Harris pulled a gun and demanded the shoes and whatever cash anyone was holding. He only got 10 dollars before fleeing the scene. 

The Sheriff's Office has obtained a warrant charging Harris with five counts of Aggravated Robbery and one count of Felonious Assault, as he allegedly hit one of the victims in the face. 

Harris is listed at 6'3", about 230 pounds and may be driving a 2002 Honda Civic. 

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Cordon Harris to contact Detective Breeden at the Summit County Sheriff's Office at 330-643-5404 or 330-643-2181. 

Someone broke into a home in Akron's Firestone Park neighborhood around midnight, Monday, and stole a semi-auto rifle, ammo, and clothing with the word "sheriff" printed on them.

Ring surveillance video caught the man in the back of the home rummaging through a van that was unlocked in the driveway.

See more from Cleveland.com.

Below is the full press release from the Summit County Sheriff's Office: 

During the early morning hours of October 14, 2019, a burglary and a subsequent theft occurred in the area of East Ido Street in the City of Akron. Included in the items taken were a semi-automatic rifle, ammunition, and various clothing with the word “SHERIFF” printed on them.

The suspect is believed to be a black male who was wearing reddish shoes and a dark colored jacket with a gray hood. Video footage of the suspect is attached to this email.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Summit County Sheriff’s Office at 330-643-2147 and/or Summit County Crimestoppers at 330-643-8665.

U.S. Marshals, along with the help of several local law enforcement agenices, were able to catch up with and arrest 63 people, all who were wanted fugitives. 

Below is the full press release from the Marshals office: 

Akron, Ohio –U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott, Akron Police Chief Kenneth Ball and Summit County Sheriff Stephen Barry announce the conclusion the Rubber City Roundup, which was conducted in Akron last week.

The Rubber City Roundup was a Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task led multiagency warrant initiative conducted in Akron from Sept. 16 – 20. In total, the task force arrested 63 wanted fugitives who were wanted for crimes of sexual assault, assault, burglary, narcotic offenses, weapons offenses and failure to register as a sex offender. The task force also seized 5 firearms: 3 rifles and 2 handguns. The fugitive task force targeted fugitives wanted in and around the Akron area for violent crimes. Task force divisions from the Canton and Cleveland areas assisted in the operation.

Akron Police Chief Kenneth Ball stated, “The goal of this warrant operation was to show a strong law enforcement presence and arrest as many violent fugitives as possible. Last week, all law enforcement agencies involved demonstrated commitment to keeping Akron a safe place by arresting over 60 fugitives.”

Summit County Sheriff Steve Barry added, “We are proud of not only these arrests by the NOVFTF, but of the efforts they put forth every day to take violent people off the streets!”

Participating Agencies for the Summer Sweep Operation: United States Marshals Service, Akron Police Department, Summit County Sheriff’s Office, Tallmadge Police Department, Norton Police Department, Bath Township Police Department, Copley Police Department, University of Akron Police Department, Hudson Police Department, Cuyahoga Falls Police Department, Ohio State Patrol, North Canton Police Department, Perry Township Police Department, New Philadelphia Police Department, Carrollton Police Department, Stark County Sheriffs, Cleveland Police Department, and the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department

William Lavery, 70, of Akron is facing a lot of charges, including Driving Under the Influence, after he drove his 2011 Hyundai Sante Fe into the Dunkin' Donuts at 3305 Manchester Road Saturday morning. 

The Summit County Sheriff's Office is reporting that Lavery was in the drive thru line at the store when he backed into the car behind him, which in turn hit the car behind it. Then, Lavery drove forward into another car, causing that car to hit the car in front of it. After that, Lavery side-swiped anotehr car before driving right through the front of the store, hitting a patron inside. 

Three people were taken to Akron General with minor injuries. Lavery was taken to Summe Health's Barberton campus, treated for minor injuries. 

Now he's charged with DUI, Driving Under Suspension, Failure to Control, and Negligent Assault. 

About 2:45 Thursday afternoon a 911 call about a white Acura across lanes of I-77 South near the Arlington Road exit. By the time dupties responded, the driver had driven the vehicle off the highway, down and embankment, through a fence, eventually coming to rest on, or rather INTO the Summa Health campus, into a room being occupied by a patient and her husband, both who sustained minor injuries.

The driver, who hasn't been identified other than that he's 37 and from Canton, was arrested, but taken to Akron City Hospital for treatment.

Summit County Sheriff's Inspector Bill Holland adds that there was what is believed to be drugs in the car.

The Summit County Sheriff's Office is investigating a deadly crash along East Turkeyfoot Lake Road in the City of Green Thursday morning. 

According to the Sheriff's report, around 7:30 a.m., a 71-year-old man driving a yellow Corvette eastbound on East Turkeyfoot collided with a tractor trailer that was waiting to turn into a gas station, and then hit another car. 

The driver of the Corvette, a 71-year-old resident of Green, was transported to Summa Akron City Hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Neither the driver of the truck nor the driver of the Civic were injured. 

East Turkeyfoot Lake Road was closed for roughly three hours after the accident Thursday morning. 

Investigators with the Sheriff's Office do not suspect that alcohol played a factor in the accident. 

(Summit County Sheriff's Office) In February of this year the Summit County Sheriff’s Office responded to a breaking and entering that occurred at a storage facility in the City of Green. An enclosed trailer (valued at over ten thousand dollars) had been stolen and this crime mirrored other crimes that had been occurring in different areas of Summit County.

Sheriff’s detectives began their investigation (assisted by information provided from Sheriff’s Deputy Mike Jones) and soon developed suspects with Detectives Jason Kline and Brian Breeden working various night and day hours to confirm the information they had received. Soon they developed suspects involved in several burglaries and thefts. The property taken in these incidents usually involved vehicles, boats, trailers and construction equipment, including a heavy duty Earth Mover, snow plows and power tools.

On April 3, 2019, suspect Jerry Stubblefield, 48, of Hunter Avenue, Munroe Falls, Ohio, was arrested and charged with 3 counts of Breaking and Entering, 5 Counts of Felony Theft, and Possession of Drugs-Methamphetamine. Suspect Jeremy Harnack, 39, of Gage Street in Akron, was arrested and charged with 3 Counts of Breaking and Entering and 3 Counts of Felony Theft. Suspect Mark Harkless, 52, of The Brooklands, Akron, was charged one count of Felony Theft and all have been booked into the Summit County Jail. Additional charges will also be addressed at Grand Jury.

Over one hundred thousand dollars worth of stolen property has been recovered over the past several weeks, with cases being cleared in several areas of the county. Sheriff Barry credits his deputies and entire detective bureau, along with the assistance provided by the Akron, Boston Heights, and Tallmadge Police Departments and the Portage County Sheriff’s Office.

The Summit County Sheriff's Office is investigating a home invasion and robbery at a Coventry Township home on Chenoweth Road last night.

According to the Sheriff's Office report, the suspect or suspects brok into the home at about 11:20 p.m. They took cash and several guns, including a 12-gauge shotgun, three rifles, and serveral other firearms. 

In addition to the robbery, the Sheriff's Office is reporting damage inside the home and damage to vehicles at the home. 

Anyone with info is asked to call the Sheriff's Office at 330-643-2131.

Back in May of last year, the Summit County Sheriff's Office was tipped off to a woman that was stealing from the bank accounts of several area residents with developmental disabilities.

The investigation determined that Beth Wallace-Cox was stealing money from 49 different people from Portage and Summit Counties, through her business, PayeeShip Solutions in Rootstown, which provides financial services to the developmentally disabled.

Wallace-Cox was arrested Thursday, charged with felony theft from a protected class.

The Akron Beacon Journal's reporting the indictment lists the total theft amounted to just under $10,000.

See the full press release from the Summit County Sheriff's Office below: 

(Summit Co. Sheriff's Office) In May of 2018, the Summit County Sheriff’s Office received a report that an individual was misappropriating funds from the bank accounts of several individuals with developmental disabilities. The matter was turned over to the Summit County Sheriff’s Detective assigned to the Summit County Developmental Disabilities Board. The investigation was conducted in conjunction with detectives from the Portage County Sheriff’s Office. It was alleged that the suspect, identified as Beth Wallace-Cox had been utilizing the victims’ funds for her own personal gain. Through the investigation, it was determined that there were 49 victims in Summit County and Portage County. Wallace-Cox is the owner of a business called Payee Ship Solutions. The business provides payee services to individuals with developmental disabilities. On January 3, 2019, Beth Wallace-Cox, age 46 of Rootstown was arrested and charged with Theft from a Protected Class (F-3), Forgery (F-3), and Tampering with Records (F-3). She was transported to the Portage County Jail. Follow up questions should be directed to Inspector William Holland at 330-620- 9738

(University of Akron) - More than 100 local youth will team up with police officers representing The University of Akron, Akron City, Copley Township, Fairlawn, Bath Township, Summa Health and the Summit County Sheriff’s Department to enjoy ‘Christmas with a Cop’ this Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018.

Referred by local school districts, these youngsters will have the opportunity to enjoy a ride to Fairlawn in a cruiser, complete with lights and sirens, where they will enjoy a hearty breakfast before embarking on a $100 shopping spree at the Walmart in Fairlawn.

Officers have been raising money for the event since September by selling raffle tickets.

Officer Pamela Helmick, a 21-year veteran of The University of Akron Police Department, looks forward to the event each year. “Giving back to the community is important, and I am so happy that I get to be part of it,” she said. “It’s wonderful to spend time with the kids and see the excitement this event brings to them.”

While participants are encouraged to shop for gifts for themselves, many often prefer to purchase gifts for family members in need. “It is heartwarming to see how much they want to help their own family,” Helmick said. “We always have some extra gift cards on hand to make sure they can still buy something for themselves.”

On Monday, Summit County Sheriff's deputies and detectives responded to the Bridges Learning Center on Johnathan Avenue on a report of a student with a gun on campus.

After a brief investigation, Detectives found a semi-automatic pistol stashed in the back of a school transport van. While the gun never made it into the school, a 12-year-old student was arrested and charged with Carrying a Concealed Weapon and Theft of a Firearm, as it was determined that he stole the gun from an Akron home.

That students was booked in Summit County Juvenile Detention Center.

Meanwhile, the Sheriff's Office is reporting that a body was found near the Bridges Learning Center campus that same day, Monday, December 3rd. Shortly after the discovery of the body, detectives determined that the person had taken their own life two days prior and that the two incidents at Bridges Learning Center were unrelated. 

--

(SUMMIT CO. SHERIFF'S OFFICE) On December 3, 2018, the Summit County Sheriff’s Office responded to Bridges Learning Center in regards to a gun that has been brought to school by a student. Sheriff's detectives responded and found a loaded semi-automatic pistol hidden in the back of a school transport van. It was determined that the gun was never brought onto to the grounds of the school. Detectives learned that the gun was stolen the day before from an Akron residence. A 12 year old student was arrested for Carrying a Concealed Weapon and Theft of a Firearm. He was transported to the Summit County Juvenile Detention Center.

The Summit County Sheriff's Office says they've charged Sage Smerk, 18, with rape, after he admitted to sexually assaulting a 5-year-old girl he was babysitting.

The mother of the victim came home October 28th to find her daughter and 2-year-old son alone in the house, where Smerk was supposed to be watching them. She called Smerk, he admitted to the assault, and she then called the Sheriff's Office. After a short pursuit, during which Smerk pulled out an airsoft pistol and fired it out his window, Smerk was apprehended.

He's charged with felony rape, but facing more charges pending the investigation.

See the full press release from the Summit County Sheriff's Office below. 

--

On October 28, 2018, a mother came home and found that her 5 year old daughter and 2 year old son had been left alone for two hours by the 18 year old babysitter. The mother called the babysitter, identified as 18 year old Sage Smerk and inquired as to why he left the children unattended. Smerk indicated that he had sexually assault the 5 year old female. The mother immediately called the Summit County Sheriff’s Office and reported the incident. Summit County Sheriff’s Deputies located Smerk’s vehicle on Mayfair Road and they attempted to initiate a traffic stop. Smerk failed to stop and subsequently fled toward North Canton. During the pursuit, Smerk fired an air pistol out the window of his vehicle at the patrol deputies and ran several intersections before he was apprehended without incident on Maple Street in North Canton.

Smerk was charged with Rape (F-1) and Failure to Obey an Order of a Police Officer (F-3). Additional charges are pending the outcome of the investigation. \

The Summit County Sheriff's Office says they've arrested two men accused of stealing thousands of dollars worth of merchandise and other items from the MAPS Air Museum in Green. 

The alleged theft happened back on October 3rd, when the two teenages walked in, one acting as a lookout and the other stuffing things like helmets, goggles, oxygen masks, and more in a bag.

A press release was sent out Monday and the suspects' pictures were posted to social media. Later in the day the two were arrested. Their names haven't been released.

-- 

The Summit County Sheriff's Office is looking for help finding two suspects (pictured) that walked into the MAPS Air Museum for a tour back on October 3rd and walked out with thousands of dollars worth of merchandise from the facility. 

According to Inspector Bill Holland's press release, the museum, located at 2260 International Parkway in the City of Green, reported several missing items, including helmets, goggles, oxygen masks, helicopter controls, and other irreplaceable items. 

The suspects were captured on security footage, and now detectives are asking anyone who might recognize them or have more information to please contact them at 330-642-2131. 

The Summit County Sheriff's Office is investigating after a man was shot multiple times along I-77 near Wilbeth Road in Coventry Township Saturday night, just before 10 p.m.

According to the release, Deputies responded to a one-car accident in that same area, where they found a silver BMW that has crashed into the guardrail along the southbound lanes near Wilbeth. The driver was slumped over in the car, revived on the scene, and taken to Akron City Hospital where he was treated and is expected to survive.

Investigators are not releasing the name of the victim, and are asking anyone with information to call the Summit County Sheriff's Office.

See the full press release below: 

(SCSO) On October 6, 2018, at approximately 9:54 p.m., the Summit County Sheriff’s Office responded to a one vehicle accident on Interstate 77 North at the 122 Mile Post. A silver BMW was reported to have crashed into a guard rail and eventually coming to rest in the northbound lanes of traffic.

The driver of the vehicle appeared to be unconscious in the vehicle slumped over the center console. The responding deputies forced open the vehicle and removed the driver. The driver was evaluated and found to have multiple gunshot wounds and was showing no signs of life. The deputies performed first aid until the arrival of the Coventry Fire Department. The male was revived on scene and transported to Akron City Hospital and is expected to survive.

The shooting was determined to have occurred on Interstate 77 South near Wilbeth Road in the city of Akron. The victim was identified as a 22 year old male from the city of Akron. The identity of the male victim is not being released at this time. Anyone with information can call the Summit County Sheriff’s Office or Crimestoppers.

The Summit County Sheriff's Office is investigating a shooting at Brandywine Country Club along Peninsula Road Wednesday morning. 

According to the report, at about 5:19 a.m. Wednesday, a Village of Peninsula Police Officer responded to the Country Club to a call of property damage. When he arrived, the officer was assaulted by the suspect, a 24-year-old man whose name hasn't been released yet, and was hit in the head. The officer was taken to the ground, and while semi-conscious, his gun was stolen by the suspect. 

An employee of the golf course witnessed the assault and ran toward the two to help, and then the suspect ran. The officer radioed for help, and before additional officers arrived and set up a perimeter, the officer and the employee reported hearing a single gunshot. 

During a search of the property, the Summit County Sheriff's Office reports that the suspect was found on the golf course with a single, self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. He was transported to Akron City Hospital where he pronounced dead. 

The officer, meanwhile, was transported Cleveland Clinic Akron General Hospital, where he was treated and released. 

The investigation is ongoing. 

Back in April of this year, the Summit County Sheriff's Office launched an investigation into the attempted suicide of an inmate at the Summit County Jail. 

During the investigation, three deputies who were on duty at the time of the incident in question, were questioned. It was later uncovered that the deputies provided false information to medical staff and investigators. 

In a press release on Tuesday, July 17th, Inspector Bill Holland with the Sheriff's Office said that former deputies Teresa M. Stark, Debra Weiland, and Alycia L. Hawkins have been charged with Falsification, a first degree misdemeanor, and Obstructing Official Business, a second degree misdemeanor. Inspector Holland added that two of the deputies quit the department and the third was removed from duty while she was still in her probationary period. 

No further information regarding the secifics of the April incident at the Jail were provided. 

This Saturday, May 12th, WAKR, WONE, and WQMX, are sponsoring a FREE shredding and safety inspection in our station parking lot at the Akron Radio Center. 

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Akron Police Department, Summit County Sheriff's Office, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol will be on hand providing safety inspections. No tickets will be given for anyone found to be in violation, but they will be able to tell you what you need to fix. 

In addition, AARP will be at the station offering free shredding services for documents, plus they will take old electronic equipment, such as computers, laptops, and other items; please no tube TV's. 

No RSVP is necessary. Our building is located at 1795 W. Market St. 

The Summit County Sheriff's Office has confirmed that a five-year-old boy from the City of Green who was hit by a car outside St. Francis De Sales School Tuesday morning has died. 

Sheriff's Office Inspector Bill Holland tells 1590 WAKR that the boy was a student at the school and had just been dropped off in the drop-off area outside St. Francis around 8:23 a.m. Tuesday. The boy got out of the back door along the right side of the car and then walked in front of the vehicle. One of the boy's parents was driving the car didn't notice the boy and hit him; it was not specified whether it was the father or mother. 

The Coventry Fire Department and Summit Metro Crash Team responded to the scene. While the investigation is ongoing, Inspector Holland says that speed, alcohol, nor drugs are believed to be a factor in the accident. 

On Friday morning, just after 8 a.m., Green High School was placed on "modified lockdown" after a social media threat. 

Inspector Bill Holland with the Summit County Sheriff's Office says a 17-year-old male student of Green High made threats and posted pictures students online. Holland said that the student claimed to be on the campus at the time the threat was made, thus prompting the lockdown. It wasn't until nearly two hours  later, after the school was searched, that the student was found at an address nearby, not on school property. Inspector Holland was unable to comment whether or not that was the student's home. 

A "modified lockdown" means the students were not locked in classrooms, and essentially, the day went on as normal. The lockdown was lifted just before 10 a.m. 

Holland told 1590 WAKR that while the threats were not specific, charges are pending against the teenager. 

The family of Anthony Jones, 36, along with the Akron Organizing Collaborative community group, is planning a vigil Friday night outside of the Summit County Jail. 

Jones, who was an inmate in the jail, died on September 2nd after an altercation with two Summit County Sheriff's Deputies inside the jail. And investigation into his death is ongoing, but his family is calling for justice and accountability from the Sheriff's Office. The family says that deputies and jail employees need more racial sensitivity training and training in dealing with inmates who suffer from mental illness. 

Jones's family says that he suffered from mental illness. 

The vigil is scheduled for Friday at 5 p.m. 

An Akron woman is charged with theft after Summit County Sheriff's Office detectives were tipped off that she was pocketing donations to a victim's charity fund. 

Back in July, Inspector Bill Holland says the third party manager of the "Walking For You" charity fund notified his office that something wasn't right with the money. The fund was set up to help the families of the victims of the May 28th accident along South Main Street in Coventry Township that left two teenagers dead and seriously injured another. Natasha Boggs, 24, of New Franklin, was charged with two counts of vehicular homicide, two counts involuntary manslaughter, and more, after investigators say she was texting while driving and cross over the marked lines along South Main Street, hitting the group of teens. 

After an investigation into the charity fund, Summit Co. Detectives discovered that Melissa Szentes, 40, of Akron, who was volunteering with the "Walking For You" campaign, was taking donations and using them for her own personal gain. 

Inspector Holland says that she is currently charged with theft, but more charges are possible, as they aren't sure how much money was actually stolen. The Summit County Sheriff's Office is asking anyone who may have donated to Szentes directly to call their office so that they can determine the total amount stolen. 

Szentes hasn't been booked yet, as more charges are pending. 

The Summit County Sheriff's Office is investigating a fatal accident that happened in the City of Green Sunday evening. 

According to the report, a 2017 Suzuki Gladius motorcycle was traveling southbound on South Main Street when a 1999 Ford Escort, heading northbound, attempted to make a left turn into a home along South Main Street. The Escort crossed traffic and the motorcycle collided with it, launching the rider off of the bike. The 20-year-old rider ended up nearly 50 feet from the original accident spot. His bike landed in northbound traffic along South Main, where another driver ran into it. 

The motorcyclist was transported by the Green Fire Department to Akron City Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The 22-year-old female driver of the Escort suffered minor injuries on the scene. The other driver was unharmed.

No charges have been filed yet and it is unclear whether speed, alcohol, or other drugs factored into the crash. It remains under investigation. 

Two 14-year-old girls were killed, and a 15-year-old boy injured, when a car hit them along South Main Street in Coventry Township Sunday afternoon. 

According to the Summit County Sheriff's Office report, the 24-year-old female driver was traveling down South Main near Leicester Drive about 4:45 p.m. Sunday. The driver from New Franklin, who was not named in the report, drove her 1999 Ford Escort over the fog line and hit the three kids who were playing in or near the South Main Street. One teen girl from Akron was pronounced dead on the scene and the other 14-year-old girl, from Coventry Township, was transported to Akron General Hospital where she later died. The 15-year-old boy was also transported to Akron General where he is still listed in critical condition. 

The driver has not been charged, but Inspector Bill Holland with the Summit County Sheriff's Office says charges are pending after the investigation is complete. 

All three students were reportedly students at Coventry Middle School. The young girls who were killed were preparing for graduation that was scheduled for Tuesday. The graduation has been canceled, though school is in session on Tuesday. Coventry Local Schools Superintendent Rusty Chaboudy says the district's "crisis team" has been deployed to the middle school. Chaboudy tells us several counselors are on campus for students and for teachers as well.

Former City of Green Little League President Tim McCloud has been arrested, charged with theft and money laundering dating back to the time he held the office. 

According to a press release from the Sheriff's Office, the president who took over when McCloud left his role noticed about $10,000 missing from an account linked to the little league program. Upon further investigation, Inspector Bill Holland with the Sheriff's Office says they found a total of $27,000 that was unaccounted for. That investigation lead right to McCloud, who had set up a new account while in office. That account combined league fees and donations with some of McCloud's personal funds. It was discovered that McCloud was using those funds for personal expenses. 

McCloud's been booked in Summit County Jail on two felony charges of Theft and Money Laundering. 

Summit County sheriff's detectives hope to find someone who broke into a home in Green.

The burglar first rang the doorbell at the home on Bob White Trail on Saturday evening at about ten until eight PM.

He forced entry after no one answered - but a surveillance camera snapped a picture of him.

Anyone who recognizes him should call the Summit County Sheriff's Office.

(Summit County Sheriff's Office, news release) On October 8, 2016, at approximately 7:51 p.m., an unknown male suspect forced entry into a residence located on Bob White Trail in the city of Green. The suspect rang the front door bell prior to forcing entry through the front door. The security system captured the attached photo of the suspect as he forced entry into the residence. The Summit County Sheriff's Office responded and processed the scene.

Anyone with information on the identity of this suspect should contact Detective Jason Kline or Detective Larry Brown at 330-643-2131.

A Copley man is behind bars after the Summit County Drug Unit says they discovered a marijuana grow operation.

With a search warrant in hand on Friday, the drug unit says it found a number of pot related things at the home on South Hametown Road in Copley...including marijuana plants, marjiuana growing equipment, firearms, meth, vehicles and cash.

40 year-old Edward Luke IV of Copley currently faces one felony count of marijuana cultivation.

He's in the Summit County Jail and additional charges are pending.

(Summit County Sheriff's Office, news release and photo credit) On February 19, the Summit County Drug Unit executed a search warrant at a residence located in the 2200 block of S. Hametown Road in Copley. Marijuana plants, marijuana growing equipment, several firearms, including illegal firearms, ammunition, methamphetamine, and vehicles were seized from the residence. The Copley Fire Department responded to the scene because a hazardous substance was found on the property.

Edward Luke IV, age 40 of Copley was arrested on one count of Cultivation of Marijuana (F-3). He was booked into the Summit County Jail. Additional charges are pending the outcome of the investigation.

This investigation was conducted by the Summit County Drug Unit, which is comprised of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies including the Summit County Sheriff's Office, Summit County Prosecutor's Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Agency, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Tallmadge, Barberton, Copley, Stow, New Franklin, Reminderville, Akron, Cuyahoga Falls, Springfield, and University of Akron Police Departments.

Events like the killing of a Knox County police officer are shaping officer training in this area.

The Summit County Sheriff's Department is holding ambush training sessions this week.

"The guys out here (at the training session) got together and started reading about nationwide incidents", Sheriff Steve Barry tells WAKR's Jasen Sokol, "and felt it was definitely necessary to put our people through scenario based training, and they've done a terrific job".

Sheriff Barry says deputies are being trained in scenarios shaped by other incidents, like the Knox County officer killing.

He says he's been through incidents himself, like when he thought a fellow officer was calling out to him...and it turned out to be a suspect who jumped him.

Deputies here say it's not just about making sure they're aware of the situation around them, but it's also about helping keep the public safe.

The cause of a Northfield house fire and explosion that killed a family of four on Monday night has been determined to be arson.

That's the word from the State Fire Marshal's Office, which along with the Summit County Sheriff's Office has been conducting the investigation of the fatal fire on Skyhaven Road.

43 year-old Jeffrey Mather and 43 year-old Cynthia Mather died in the explosion along with their two children.

The investigation continues, and further details are not yet being released.

(State Fire Marshal's Office, news release) The Division of State Fire Marshal's Fire & Explosion Investigation Bureau has ruled a fire that occurred at 7486 Skyhaven Road in Northfield Center as arson. The incident killed two adults and two children on Monday, January 11, 2016 around 8:30 p.m.

While the cause of the fire has been determined, the investigation remains open and ongoing. Therefore, specific details of this incident cannot be released at this time.

The Fire & Explosion Investigation Bureau continues to work with the Summit County Sheriff's Office and the Northfield Center-Sagamore Hills Fire District on the investigation.

A woman from Green has been arrested for kidnapping a young child.

27 year old Olivia Remenyi, who reportedly has a history of psychotic episodes and drug use, took her two-year old cousin to the store on Friday and did not return. The parents of the child called the Summit County Sheriff's Office who then issued an AMBER Alert.

The child was found around 9:00 PM at a suspected drug house left with an unknown person on the porch. Remenyi took off on foot, but was captured after a short chase. She admitted to keeping the child longer than permitted by his mother and even to taking him along on a drug run.

The two-year old was evaluated by the Akron Fire Department and released to his parents.

Remenyi was booked into the Summit County Jail.

------

(Summit County Sheriff's Office) On November 06, 2015, Olivia Remenyi watched her 2 year old cousin at his residence in the City of Green. Olivia was provided consent from the child's mother for her to take the child to the store. She was instructed to return the child within the hour. Several hours later, she had not returned and she was not answering her telephone. The child's family contacted the Summit County Sheriff's Office.

Olivia has a history of psychotic episodes and drug use. Her vehicle was tracked by phone to the area of Simmons Court in the City of Akron. Witness information indicated she fled the vehicle on foot with the juvenile. The Sheriff's Office issued an Amber Alert and BOLOS were sent out in an effort to locate Remenyi and the child. The Sheriff's Office began a search of the area with deputies, detectives, and the assistance of the Akron Police Department.

At approximately 9:00 p.m., the child was located at a suspected drug house. Remenyi left the child with unknown persons on the porch. She then fled on foot and was apprehended after a short chase. The child was treated and evaluated on the scene by Akron Fire and released to his parents.

Olivia Remenyi was interviewed and admitted to taking the child longer than permitted by his mother. Remenyi took the child with a friend to 6 different locations in the city to purchase drugs. She consumed crack cocaine in the presence of the child and at the last house, she used drugs and left the child on the porch.

Sheriff Steve Barry commented, "This was an entire agency effort with wonderful results. I am very proud of our agency. Thanks to their determination to quickly follow every lead and evaluate any and all information, this child was found safe and the suspect was apprehended."

Olivia Remenyi, age 27 of Green was arrested and charged with Kidnapping (F-2) andChild Endangering (M-1). She was booked into the Summit County Jail.