Break-in investigation continues

The intruders fled with thousands of dollars.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
SALEM -- Authorities are still trying to determine who broke into a Butler Township home, struck a woman and fled with cash earlier this month.
Three suspects emerged early in the investigation of the Dec. 12 crime, Dave Smith, Columbiana County sheriff, said Monday.
But after further investigation it was determined the individuals were not involved, Smith said.
That development has sent detectives back to the drawing board.
Investigators have established, however, that the two intruders most likely know the victims, Smith said.
The men appeared to know that the cash was in the home and where it was.
Thousands of dollars was taken in the crime, Smith said. He said he did not know a precise amount.
The sheriff's department is working with Canton police in trying to solve the crime.
Car stolen from Canton
The two agencies are involved because county sheriff's officials discovered a stolen car after the crime along Lakeside Drive in Knob Township.
The car's lights were on, and it was still running when it was found. The vehicle had been reported stolen from a Canton residence Dec. 11.
Those circumstances have led investigators to believe the vehicle probably was used by the men who stormed into the Butler Township home Dec. 12.
The men entered the Slater Road residence through an unlocked front door about 3 a.m.
A 31-year-old woman was the only one inside the house when the masked intruders entered. Her husband was in the garage working.
The men demanded money and forced the woman upstairs, where they broke into a desk and took a bag filled with cash.
One of the men struck the woman in the forehead with the butt of a firearm.
The men then fled. At the same time, the woman's husband became aware something was amiss. He fired shots at the men as they ran away.
One or both of them may have been hit by the gunfire or hurt climbing fences along the path on which they fled. Investigators tracked blood to Whitacre Road, where the blood trail ended.
The woman was treated at Salem Community Hospital for the blow to the head, which required stitches.
leigh@vindy.com