Police ask public to help solve break-ins

October 30, 2010 at 12:07a.m.

North Jackson

Township police are relying on help from residents to catch those responsible for a recent string of break-ins.

Jackson Police Chief Ken Frost said in the past couple of weeks at least eight break-ins of garages, sheds and residential properties have authorities and residents on edge.

Frost said break-ins stopped after two people were arrested earlier in the year in relation to 13 open break-in cases in North Jackson, as well as cases in Austintown, Milton and Ellsworth.

“The break-ins are starting up again. I’m looking for help from the residents,” he said. “We’re developing suspects and working on leads, and we’re hoping to make arrests here again, but until then, we need people in the community to call us.”

Frost said the suspects are targeting items such as leaf and snow blowers, pressure washers, compressors and other power tools and usually striking late at night into the early-morning hours.

“I am reminding [residents] to keep your doors locked and your property safely secured,” he said.

Patrolman Steve Schneider, community police director, said the residents’ joining the crime watch and becoming more aware could help the department significantly.

Schneider said the police need homeowners to call with anything out of the ordinary.

“It’s very hard for the police department to be out there on patrol all the time and catch these guys in the act,” he said. “We need these people to call us right away and let us know. ... That is how we’re going to wind up breaking these cases.”

Frost said anyone who is interested in information about the crime watch or who wants to report suspicious activity should call the Jackson Township Police Department at 330-538-3093.