Police Blotter: Alleged Burglars Nabbed Leaving Scene

An alert Hampton Chase resident thought it was suspicious when he saw two teens with their hoods up, carrying full backpacks and cutting through yards about 12:40 p.m. Nov. 4.

He was right.

Police apprehended those two teens, plus a third, a short time later for burglary.

A report said the two teens ran to a waiting vehicle after the witness spotted them. He was able to get the a description and the license plate number.

An officer saw the vehicle on Pearl Road near Lunn Road, pulled it over and questioned the three teens, who are aged 15, 16 and 17, all from Strongsville.

The items in the backpacks, including jewelry and beer, were linked to a house broken into on Beaver Circle, Detective Lt. John Janowski said.

Janowski said police are looking into whether the teens are responsible for any other recent burglaries.

Firm No Smoking Policy

A man told police he was smoking a cigarette at a playground on Royalton Road Nov. 5 when another man grabbed him by the wrist and told him to put it out, or he would put it out for him.

The non-smoker could face an assault charge.

Child in Trouble?

A Pearl Road resident was awakened about 10 a.m. Nov. 5 by a young child crying, "help me, help me," a report said.

The caller looked outside and saw a child in a silver minivan, kicking the seat. The driver was a younger man wearing gray sweats.

Police checked the apartment parking lot and Pearl Road for miles, but couldn't find the van.

Theft from High School

A Nintendo DS and calculator were stolen from a locker at Nov. 4.

Spraying Vandals

Three reports of spray paint damage came in Nov. 6.

On Cook Avenue, a resident's shed doors were painted with silver markings, as was the walkway fence. 

On Knowlton Parkway, a van was painted with a single line. The owner was able to buff it out. 

And on Benwood Court, a car in the driveway was also painted with the same type of paint.

Helping the Neighbors

Middleburg Heights police asked Strongsville officers for assistance about 2 p.m. Nov. 6 after the Shell station on Pearl Road near Sprague Road was robbed.

The robber, who took a money bag containing $1,000, fled into a wooded area near the I-71 on-ramp.

Police tracked the man to the Islander Apartments, where Middleburg Heights officers took over.