Crime reports at Ohio casinos show increase

January 25, 2015 at 12:00a.m.

CLEVELAND

Reports of crimes at Ohio casinos appear to be on the rise.

According to the Ohio Casino Control Commission, prosecutors considered charges in 215 cases in the last six months of 2014, which is the first half of the current fiscal year.

The Northeast Ohio Media Group reports that if crime reports continue at that rate, the four casinos will be on track for an increase of more than 30 percent over the previous fiscal year.

During the fiscal year that ended last June 30, prosecutors considered 319 charges for felonies and misdemeanors at the four casinos. At the current rate, the number of charges will pass 400 by the end of this fiscal year.

The top charges in the last six-month period included trespassing, cheating/attempted cheating and theft.

Killing suspect caught after taking hostage

COLUMBUS

Authorities say a teenage murder suspect who escaped from custody while being treated at a western Ohio hospital took an elderly woman hostage before he was caught.

Clark County Sheriff Gene Kelly said Saturday that 17-year-old Raymond Matthew Zimmerman forced the 70-year-old woman, whose name was not released, to use her car to drive him to an apartment complex in Fairborn. Springfield police said the woman was assaulted by Zimmerman. Her injuries were not life-threatening.

Zimmerman and an 18-year-old were arrested last week in the shooting death of William Henson, Zimmerman’s uncle, authorities said. Deputies found Henson’s body last week in his home, which they said was robbed of guns.

Zimmerman ran away from the Springfield Regional Medical Center Friday night wearing an orange jail jumpsuit and no shoes.

New Ohio license plate features Statehouse

COLUMBUS

Ohio drivers wishing to show support for the state’s historic Capitol now have a specialty license plate available to them.

Last year, state lawmakers approved legislation creating the new plates. They feature a rendering of the Statehouse, which has housed the state government since 1857. The National Park Service has listed the Greek-revival styled building as a National Historic Landmark.

The law requires that $25 from each plate go toward a fund that is used for educational programs at the Statehouse, art purchases for the building, as well as museum collections. The Capitol’s advisory board says more than 60,000 Ohio students benefit from the educational programs each year.

Drivers can buy the plates at their local Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

Family of slain couple seeks public’s help

COLUMBUS

Family members ask anyone with information on the abduction and slaying of an elderly Northeast Ohio couple whose bodies were found in their burned-out car to contact authorities.

In a statement Saturday, children of 88-year-old Doyle Chumney, and his wife, 79-year-old Lillian Chumney, sought the help. They also thanked supporters and local, county, state and federal law enforcement working to solve the case.

Officials say the Chumneys were abducted from their Tuscarawas County home between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. They were reported missing Wednesday after they failed to pick up a son to take him to the airport. Their bodies were found Thursday in the burned car in Bakersville in Coshocton County.

VINDICATOR WIRE REPORTS