(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced today that six adults and two juveniles are now facing felony charges for what investigators believe are at least 61 related cellphone store break-ins in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky.
According to prosecutors with Attorney General DeWine's Economic Crimes Unit and Special Prosecutions Section, the suspects, who operated in two separate, but related, groups, are accused of committing the "smash and grab" crimes between April 2012 and January 2014.
"These individuals are all from the Dayton area, but they committed crimes all over Ohio, as well as across state lines," said Attorney General DeWine. "Those with the Warren County Sheriff's Office, Columbus Police Department, and Dayton Police Department worked to connect the dots that tied these crimes together, and we are very grateful for their hard work, as well as the work of all of the other local jurisdictions involved."
The individuals typically targeted Verizon Wireless businesses and are believed to have stolen more than $300,000 in electronics such as Apple iPhones and Samsung Galaxy devices. The suspects then allegedly sold the devices and spent the money on items such as designer clothing and hotel rooms.
Although the two groups are charged as separate criminal organizations, investigators found that both groups used an identical method of operation, and some suspects are believed to have committed crimes with both sets of individuals.
Group #1
According to indictments filed in Warren County last week, members of Group #1 are believed to have committed at least 34 break-ins spanning 27 law enforcement jurisdictions in Ohio and Kentucky. The crimes committed by members of Group #1 are alleged to have happened between April 30, 2012, and November 6, 2013.
The following individuals are facing a total of 52 charges:
Lamar Caviness, 18, Dayton
- Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity (2)
- Conspiracy to Engage in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity (1)
- Breaking and Entering (14)
- Theft (5)
- Grand Theft (8)
- Money Laundering (1)
- Copy of indictment
Gary Pullen, 34, Dayton
- Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity (2)
- Conspiracy to Engage in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity (1)
- Breaking and Entering (9)
- Theft (4)
- Grand Theft (4)
- Money Laundering (1)
- Copy of indictment
A complaint was also filed against a juvenile in connection with Group #1's operation.
Group #2
According to indictments filed in Greene County last week, members of Group #2 are accused in connection with at least 27 break-ins spanning 22 law enforcement jurisdictions in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. The crimes committed by members of Group #2 are alleged to have happened between December 27, 2013, and January 31, 2014.
The following individuals are facing a total of 61 charges:
Antone Jackson, 18, Dayton
- Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity (2)
- Conspiracy to Engage in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity (1)
- Breaking and Entering (15)
- Theft (7)
- Grand Theft (4)
- Money Laundering (1)
- Copy of indictment
Duane Taylor, 20, Dayton
- Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity (2)
- Conspiracy to Engage in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity (1)
- Breaking and Entering (5)
- Theft (2)
- Grand Theft (1)
- Money Laundering (1)
- Copy of indictment
Michael Roberson, 19, Dayton
- Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity (2)
- Conspiracy to Engage in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity (1)
- Breaking and Entering (3)
- Grand Theft (3)
- Copy of indictment
Kevin Snowden, 18, Dayton
- Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activities (2)
- Conspiracy to Engage in a Pattern of Corrupt Activities (1)
- Breaking and Entering (4)
- Grand Theft (3)
- Copy of indictment
A complaint was also filed against a juvenile in connection with Group #2's operation. Charges against at least one additional suspect are expected to be filed in the future.
Caviness, Jackson, Taylor, Roberson, and Snowden are currently in custody, and a warrant has been issued for Pullen's arrest.
The cases will be prosecuted in conjunction with the Warren County Prosecutor's Office and Greene County Prosecutor's Office. The investigation remains ongoing as investigators follow additional leads into more suspects.
A list of law enforcement agencies that assisted in the investigation is available here.
A list of the targeted businesses is available here.
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Media Contacts:
Dan Tierney: 614-466-3840
Jill Del Greco: 614-466-3840