43
Campbell police catch jail inmates vandalizing facility, finding cocaine
CAMPBELL
Police caught two inmates at the Campbell City Jail vandalizing jail property by removing cocaine hidden in a heating vent in the lockup’s wall.
Robert Bollinger, 25, and Dominick Sankey, 24, both of Hillsville, Pa., were arrested Tuesday night in the back of the McCartney Road McDonald’s restaurant on felony charges of possessing heroin and three misdemeanor charges of possessing drug paraphernalia and drug instruments.
They were taken to the jail to await initial court appearances.
On Wednesday, Bollinger and Sankey were caught on camera breaking the heating vent in one of the jail’s wings at 6 p.m. The video footage showed the pair breaking a part of the vent to grab a bag of crack cocaine that was inside.
Police Sgt. Kevin Sferra said evidence may indicate the cocaine was brought into the facility, hidden in one of the inmate’s anal cavities, though the case remains under investigation.
Sferra said the crack cocaine was retrieved in the jail for investigation.
Police Chief Drew Rauzan said the jail facility has 24/7 video monitoring and in-person checks twice per hour.
“Our arresting officers must legally search each inmate thoroughly so no weapons or contraband are transported into the jail,” Rauzan said. “But, obviously, if an inmate wants to go to the lengths of concealing a small plastic bag inside a remote body cavity, then the possibility exists of the inmate bringing the contraband into the jail.”
Rauzan added the situation in the jail is an anomaly for them. He said police are actively investigating the case to determine how the cocaine got into the building.
Bollinger and Sankey were issued additional felonious charges of vandalism and possessing drugs Wednesday.
Because the two severely damaged the heating vent, one half of the jail is shut down, police said.
Sankey was taken to the Mahoning County jail Thursday morning and will stay there until his court appearance at 9 a.m. today in Campbell Municipal Court.
Bollinger had to be transported to St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital for medical issues. Police said he was still scheduled to be at court at 9 a.m. today.