Police seeking public's help in tracking thief who buys stamps

POLAND

Poland and Boardman police are asking for the public’s help to track down a suspect they say is responsible for several car break-ins.

Police said at a news conference today that they now have DNA evidence and photographs linking an unidentified male to five unsolved cases that date back to 2009.

“If they’re able to give us information where we’re able to successfully prosecute this person, we’ll offer a reward,” said Poland Township Detective Greg Wilon.

Police made the connection between the different cases after an incident in December in which a man breaking into a car assaulted a Poland Township resident who confronted him.

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation then used evidence from the scene to make a DNA profile of the suspect.

The pattern of the suspect is to break into vehicles in areas near the Poland Municipal Forest and use stolen credit cards to purchase stamps at post offices, which he then likely trades for cash, police said.

Police do not know what the suspect looks like, except that he wears a motorcycle helmet in the photographs of video surveillance they have.

Read more about the case in Saturday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.