Church should be the last place you'd expect to be ripped off, but for a 79 year old woman her visit to be closer to God left her a victim.
Deputies say the woman was in line, waiting for Communion at the Queen of Heaven Church in Green during a morning service last Thursday, and left her purse in the pew. When she came back it was gone.
Security cameras caught a white male described as balding, wearing a blue shirt and coat as a suspect; the same video also provided a fuzzy photos of a white female with "large build", brown hair wearing a plaid shirt and blue coat believed to be an accomplice.
Both fled in a Kia Optima and went to a nearby Acme and Dollar General and used the victim's credit cards to make more than a thousand dollars in purchases.
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(Summit County Sheriff) On December 8, 2016, the Summit County Sheriff's Office responded to the Queen of Heaven Church in the City of Green in regards to an alleged theft. At approximately 8:30 a.m., two suspects stole a woman's purse while she was in line for Communion.
The victim, a 79 year old female, had left her purse unattended in the pew. The theft was captured on surveillance cameras. The first suspect is described as a white male, bald, medium build, with facial hair, wearing a blue shirt and a blue coat. The second suspect is described as a white female, large build, long brown hair, wearing a plaid shirt and a blue coat.
The suspects fled in a black vehicle believed to be a late model Kia Optima. The suspects went to a local Acme and Dollar General and utilized the victim's credit cards to make over $1,000 in purchases. The victim's cell phone was recovered a short time later by authorities.
The 26 year old Case Western Reserve University student shot and killed in what is described as a struggle with a Hudson police officer was hit at least five times by bullets.
The Summit County Medical Examiner says autopsy results do not include toxicology tests at this time, but Saif Mubarak Alameri of the United Arab Emirates was shot once in the head, once in the face and three times in the left leg during the incident with police Officer Ryan Doran, a 12-year veteran of the Hudson Police Department. Dashcam video from that day has audio of six shots fired.
Alameri had flipped his vehicle on the nearby Ohio Turnpike then fled the scene on foot; witnesses say he had been "running wildly" when he went into a wooded area along Hudson-Aurora Rd. when Doran found him. In the dashcam video, a dog can also be heard inside the vehicle reacting to the sound of shots fired.
Alameri was not armed, investigators from Ohio's Bureau of Criminal Investigation report. Doran remains on paid leave.
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(Summit County Medical Examiner) This is a update concerning the death of Saif Mubarak Alameri who was shot during a struggle with a Hudson Police Officer. The autopsy examination revealed a total of 5 definite gunshot wounds. One to the head, one to the face and three to the left leg. Toxicology testing is not completed at this time. There is no other information to release at this time
The four members of a family killed in last weekend's fatal fire on East Tallmadge Avenue will be remembered and laid to rest Monday in a service at Akron's Celebration Church.
Celebration Church is on Dan Street. The church is holding visitation from 4:00 to 7:00 Monday followed by a Celebration of Life from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
37-year old Omar Riley, 34-year old Shirley Wallis and their two daughters, nine year old Aniyla and eight year old Shanice Riley all perished in the blaze December 3 which started in the back of their rented home.
Akron firefighters couldn't find evidence of any smoke detectors in the home.
A 12-year old daughter of Wallis', Shaniya, is recovering from her burns and injuries at Akron Children's Hospital. Akron firefighters pulled her from the fire and brought her back to life.
Another woman living in the home, Jennifer Grubbs, escaped by getting out of the burning house from a second floor window.
An Akron man is dead following an early morning crash on South Cleveland Massillon Road in Copley.
The State Highway Patrol reports the one-vehicle wreck happened just north of N. Sunnyfield Drive. 32-year old Darrelle Fisher of Pine Knolls Drive, Akron, was behind the wheel when the vehicle went off-road and hit a utility pole. Fisher was thrown from the vehicle and pronounced dead on the scene.
A passenger, 22-year old Shaquilla Thomas of Akron, was also injured in the accident and taken to Akron General with non-life threatening injuries. Troopers say she was only wearing a lap belt and didn't have the shoulder strap in use.
"Driver impairment" is suspected.
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(OSHP) Copley Township- The Canton Post of the Highway Patrol is investigating a one vehicle fatal crash that occurred on Saturday, December 10, 2016 at 00:29 A.M. on South Cleveland Massillon Road just north of N. Sunnyfield Drive.
Darrelle Fischer, age 32, of 750 Pine Knolls Drive, Akron, Ohio was operating a 2002 Pontiac Montana northbound on South Cleveland Massillon Road. Fischer had a right front passenger who was identified as Shaquilla K. Thomas, age 22, of 746 Baird Street Akron, Ohio. The investigation determined Fischer's Pontiac traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck a utility pole just north of N. Sunnyfield Drive. After impact, Fischer was ejected from the vehicle.
Fischer sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased on scene by the Summit County Coroner's Office. Fischer was subsequently transported to the Summit County Coroner's Office.
Thomas sustained non-life threatening injuries and was transported to Akron General Hospital by Copley Fire Department. Thomas was only wearing a lap belt and wasn't utilizing the shoulder strap provided. The crash currently remains under investigation. Driver impairment is suspected in the crash.
A Norton police officer is recovering from minor injuries suffered when the cruiser he was in was hit by another vehicle while on a traffic stop.
Norton Police Chief John Delassandro issued a statement saying the officer was on I-76 westbound near Medina Line Road at 4:00 a.m. Saturday when he was hit by a vehicle driven by a female motorist. Both were injured and transported to local hospitals with non-life threatening injuries.
The incident remains under investigation.
The Akron man who's been on death row since 1993 may have just over a month left on earth.
The Ohio Parole Board today recomended no clemency for Ronald Phillips, who first began serving his sentence 23 years ago after he was convicted of the rape and murder of his then-girlfiend's three year old daughter.
The crime was horribly brutal; an autopsy found "severe trauma" in the death of Sheila Marie Evans, including damages to her internal organs and more than 120 bruises over her tiny body. Prosecutors said the injureis reflected several hours of a severe beating, then rape, before she died days after she was hospitalized.
The recommendation now moves to Governor John Kasich, who hasn't been receptive to considering Phillips' case in the past. Barring any last-minute court appeals, Phillips will die by lethal injection on January 12, 2017 in the death chamber at the Southern Ohio Correctional Institution in Lucasville, Ohio.
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(Summit County Prosecutor) Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh announced today that the Ohio Parole Board voted to recommend convicted murderer Ronald Phillips be denied clemency. Phillips' clemency request and the Board's recommendation now go to Ohio Governor John Kasich, who makes the final decision to grant or deny clemency.
In 1993, a Summit County jury found Phillips, then 19, guilty of Aggravated Murder, Felonious Sexual Penetration and three counts of Rape. In January of that year, Phillips brutally assaulted and raped three-year-old Sheila Marie Evans. Evans died as result. Among her injuries were severe trauma to her internal organs and more than 125 bruises to her face, torso, arms, legs and genitalia.
"Phillips brutally beat and assaulted Sheila Marie over several hours. She suffered for days before dying from her injuries. Phillips deserves the ultimate punishment for what he did," said Prosecutor Walsh. "This is the third time the Ohio Parole Board has denied Phillips clemency. My hope is that Governor Kasich follows the Parole Board's recommendation and denies Phillips clemency and gives peace to Sheila's family."
In its recommendation against clemency, the Board cited several reasons, and again called the repeated beating and rape of Sheila Marie Evans "clearly among the worst of the worst capital crimes."
Phillip's execution is scheduled for January 12, 2017.
UPDATE Orrville police reported this afternoon Ralston had been found safe and returned to her home.
Previous coverage:
Orrville police hope you'll help find a woman missing since Wednesday night. 55-year old Patricia Ralston suffers from mental disabilities, last seen walking on Hostetler Road. She's described as white, 5'4", about 150 pounds.
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(Orrville Police) A Missing Adult Alert has been issued by the Orrville Police Department for Wayne County.
Information as of: December 8, 2016 at 8:17 PM
Be on the lookout for a missing adult. On December 7, 2016 at 8:30 PM, Ms. Ralston left her residence and failed to return.
The incident took place in Wayne County, OH On Hostetler Road in the city of Orrville.
The adult's name is Patricia Ralston and the individual is missing. The adult is a White female, age 55, is 5'04 tall, weighs 150lbs, and has brown hair and brown eyes. Mr. Ralston suffers from mental disabilities.
Call or dial 911 if you see the adult. You can also call 1-866-693-9171 or 911 to be transferred directly to the investigating law enforcement agency or to hear the alert information.
UPDATE Medina police update the story; Lane returned home and is safe.
Previous coverage:
Medina police issuing a Missing Adult Alert late last night; they're looking 82-year old Edgar Lane, last seen on Liberty Street around 3:00 Tuesday afternoon. He was last heard from in a phone call a few hours later. Lane suffers from Dementia and other health issues.
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(Medina PD) A Missing Adult Alert has been issued by the Medina Police Department statewide.
Information as of: December 7, 2016 at 10:01 PM
Be on the lookout for a missing adult. On December 6, 2016 at 3:00 PM, Mr. Lane left his residence and hasn't returned. His last contact by phone was on 12/6/16 at 6:30 PM.
The incident took place in Medina County, OH On Liberty Street in the city of Medina.
The adult's name is Edgar Lane and the individual is missing. The adult is a Black male, age 82, is 6' 03" tall, weighs 220 lbs., and has black hair and brown eyes. Mr. Lane suffers from Dementia, other health issues and may be in need of medication. Law enforcement is concerned for his safety.
Call or dial 911 if you see the adult. You can also call 1-866-693-9171 or 911 to be transferred directly to the investigating law enforcement agency or to hear the alert information.
To view photographs, visit the Endangered Missing Adult Alert website at: http://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Law-Enforcement/Local-Law-Enforcement/Missing-Adult-Alert
To unsubscribe reply to this email with "unsubscribe" as the subject or call (800) 325-5604.
UPDATED 4:50 a.m. The victims of Saturday's fire that left four dead and two injured were identified by their pastor. Rev. Zach Prosser of Celebration Church in Akron told Cleveland.com the adults are Omar Riley and Shirley Wallis, who had been together for 12 years. Their daughters, nine year old Aniyla and and eight year old Shanice, also perished in the blaze. Prosser identified the 12-year old victim as Wallis' daughter Shaniya, who was listed in critical condition at Akron Children's Hospital.
Another victim, Jennifer Grubbs, was also injured when she jumped out of the attic from the flames according to her fiancee. He was not in the home at the time of the fire. The flames first showed in the back of the house according to a neighbor's home security camera video, according to reports.
Previous coverage
An early morning Saturday blaze left four people dead, two injured. The Akron Fire Department reports the house fire at 266 East Tallmadge Avenue was "heavily involved" when they arrived about five minutes after the call at 1:33 a.m. Arriving firefighters were able to pull five of the six victims from the home. Among the dead are an eight and nine year old; News5 reports a 12-year old jumped from a second floor window to escape the flames and is in critical condition. An adult was also pulled from the home and was also injured.
Video from the scene is at the News5 link above
Names and other details of the victims were not released. There is no cause of the blaze at this time.
No smoke detectors were found in the home, which reportedly was a rental property. The American Red Cross is reminding area residents smoke detectors are free throughout northeast Ohio, and the Akron Fire Department provides free installation in partnership with the Red Cross. Mayor Dan Horrigan said he was "deeply saddened" by the tragedy...and will see to it hat the victims' families and the survivors are supported in this time of great sorrow and need."
The children were enrolled in Akron Public Schools, one at Seiberling Elementary and another at Forest Hills Elementary. The 12-year old is a student at Hyre Middle School. APS spokesman Mark Williamson said ""Akron Public Schools and its community of families are profoundly saddened by this loss of two precious children and other members of their family. Three of our schools have felt this tragedy, deeply, and will be visited by our counselors this week for assistance. We offer our heartfelt prayers."
There was also reaction from LeBron James and the LeBron James Family Foundation; the children were members of his Wheels for Education program. James tweeted he was "unbelievably saddened to hear the news. My heart hurts...our family lost two bright, bright stars."
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(Akron Fire Department) Firefighters responded to a two and a half story residential house fire. Upon arrival the first floor was heavily involved in smoke and flames. People were reported to be trapped inside so an immediate interior fire attack was taken for rescue. The call came in at 01:33 and by 01:38 the first Engine was on scene.
Through the heavy heat and smoke (no visibility) 5 of the 6 victims were pulled from the house within the first few minutes of arrival. The cause of the fire is still under investigation but it was noted that smoke detectors could not be located throughout the house.
The fire caused four fatalilties. Two adults and two children, 8 and 9 year old. Two other victims were transported and are still ithe hospital. Unknown condition at the time of this press release. Names, relationships, and genders were not given while investigation is on going. One firefighter was transported for minor injuries and released.
(American Red Cross) We are deeply saddened by the loss of life resulting from a home fire in Akron early Saturday morning. Our hearts go out to the families affected by this tragedy.
The Red Cross partners with many Fire Departments in Northeast Ohio, including the Akron Fire Department, to provide and install smoke alarms, free of charge, to any resident who requests the alarms. We also provide valuable fire safety information, and help residents develop plans to escape from their homes should a fire occur. The initiative is call Operation Save-A-Life.
Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan helped launch Operation Save-a-Life at a home in Akron earlier this year.
Akron residents can call 330-535-2030 to request a home fire safety inspection and free smoke alarms. In Cleveland, residents can call 216-361-5535. Youngstown residents may call 866-319-7160. Elsewhere
throughout Northeast Ohio, residents can log onto redcross.org/neo to request smoke alarms for their homes.
We are grateful for our partnerships with so many fire departments, corporations and community groups for helping to provide this valuable, potentially life-saving service, and we urge all residents to check their homes for working smoke alarms, and to contact us at the numbers or website above if they need smoke alarms for their homes for working smoke alarms, and to contact us at the numbers above.
(City of Akron) Early this morning the Akron Fire Department responded to an advanced-stage fire in a three-story house on East Tallmadge Avenue.
The Fire Department acted quickly to extinguish the flames and rescue the individuals inside. Tragically, two adults and two children lost their lives in the fire. One adult and one child have survived and are being treated for their injuries.
"My family, the Akron Fire Department, and the entire Akron community, are profoundly saddened by this devastating incident. Any time our community experiences a loss such as this, it reminds us how precious life is," said Mayor Dan Horrigan. 'My deepest sympathies and prayers are with the family members of those who lost their lives, as we continue to pray for strength and healing for the survivors being treated. We will see to it that the victims' families and the survivors are supported in this time of great sorrow and need.
There is no higher duty we have as city leaders than to protect the health and safety of our residents and I thank the Akron Fire Department for their bravery in responding to this fire and for their attempts to rescue those trapped inside. I offer my full support and confidence as the professionals work to investigate the cause of this fire."
(Akron Public Schools) "Akron Public Schools and its community of families are profoundly saddened by this loss of two precious children and other members of their family. Three of our schools have felt this tragedy, deeply, and will be visited by our counselors this week for assistance. We offer our heartfelt prayers."