Teen’s calm thinking leads cops to suspects

Police charged the men with aggravated burglary and receiving stolen property.

By DENISE DICK

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

BOARDMAN — A 17-year-old girl arrived at her parents’ East Parkside Drive home to find an unfamiliar car in the driveway.

She could see two people moving around in the house about 10 p.m. Saturday. She parked her car a few houses away, called her parents and then police.

The girl watched three men, later identified as Lennon Burgess, 18; Richard Williams, 20; and Williams’ brother, Christopher Williams, 19, all of Toledo, get into the car and head south of Parkside. When the car drove past her, she noted a partial license plate and described the car to police.

“The victim in this case did all the right things,” said Detective Charles Mound.

The teenager left the driveway, stayed at a safe distance, watched the suspicious activity and reported it to police, Mound said.

Police, including two off-duty officers, responded in their township cars to assist.

The car, driven by Burgess, traveled along Squirrel Hill where police tried to stop it, activating lights and siren. The car kept going, turning onto Hitchcock Road and then to Western Reserve Road and to state Route 46.

Burgess stopped at Green Beaver Road and the three men were arrested.

Both Mound and Capt. Jack Nichols said the incident highlights how township budget problems have affected the department. Within the last 18 months, 10 officers who have retired or resigned have not been replaced.

“We had one supervisor and six patrol officers on duty” at the time, Mound said.

Before financial constraints, the department would have as many as 13 officers working Friday and Saturday nights.

The two off-duty officers who responded supplemented the officers working night turn, Mound said.

“I think it was a really great piece of police work with our take-home car program and the whole department,” said Chief Patrick Berarducci. “As we continue to deal with less and less manpower, we have to come up with ways to use what we have.”

At its fastest, the chase reached 70 mph, according to a police report. Beaver Township police had tire-deflation devices ready to use at Route 46 and state Route 165, but they weren’t needed when the suspects stopped.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol, Goshen Township police and the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Department also assisted.

Police found four guns on the back seat and floor of the car along with two rolls of silver dollars and a container in the glove box along with a suspected marijuana pipe.

When the homeowner took inventory, he found guns missing and others out of place. The alleged burglars forced open a back door to get into the house.

All three men were charged with aggravated burglary and receiving stolen property. Burgess also was charged with fleeing and eluding, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana.

The three remained at the Mahoning County Jail and are expected in court today. The investigation is ongoing, police added.

Mound said that if someone returns to their home and sees a suspicious or unfamiliar car, they should follow what the 17-year-girl did.

He urged people to call police, stay on the phone and report as much detail as possible about the vehicle, its occupants and direction of travel. Identifying information, such as damage or rust in a particular area or a bumper sticker also may help police find the suspects.

“A license plate number is especially helpful as well as the make, model and color of the car,” Mound said.

It’s rare for burglars to enter a house when someone is home, but if that happens, he advises homeowners to lock themselves in a room and call police. Report as much information about what you hear, the description of your house, how many family members are inside and where you are inside, Mound added.

“Stay on the phone; always stay on the phone with police,” he said.