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Pair help with raids against 2 Stark stores
By Phil Trexler
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Thursday, Jul 24, 2008
Two men have been at it for years. Now, they're sharing their secrets with police, dragging down at least two local businesses at the same time.
Jackson Township police say that thanks to the cooperation of the two thieves, they have unraveled a major theft scheme operating the past six years and involving tens of thousands of dollars in merchandise ranging from fishing lures to hand grenades.
''These individuals were unbelievable,'' Jackson police Maj. David Zink said. ''These men were professional thieves and very good at their craft. They could go around and teach.''
Their modus operandi was simple: The men would steal from local retailers and resell the goods at low prices, sometimes to other businesses.
At times, the men were so bold they would don aprons and pretend to work at a store, wheeling out merchandise and driving away unnoticed, Zink said.
During police raids on Tuesday, officers confiscated vanloads of items including copper wire spools, fishing items, cross bows, rifle scopes, sawed-off shotguns, hand grenades and ammunition.
Someone informed on the two in April and the men, facing criminal charges, almost immediately went to work with police to sting two businesses accused of buying the stolen goods, said Zink.
With merchandise acquired honestly from area stores such as Lowe's, Home Depot, Dick's Sporting Goods and others, the men visited two stores in Massil
lon and Bethlehem Township pawning their products the past several months.
The investigation culminated Tuesday when police raided Ohio Outdoor Sports in Canton Township and the Trading Post in Massillon, where they say the men sold their goods at discounted prices.
The stores, police say, resold the goods to the public.
Owners of Ohio Outdoor Sports could not be reached for comment. A man identifying himself as a part owner of the Trading Post declined comment.
It is not known how long the stores were involved in the purchase of the stolen goods.
Zink said the thieves, who stole thousands in merchandise since 2002, are also connected to the sale of stolen catalytic converters and scrap items to Fosnaught Auto Parts in Jackson. Police raided Fosnaught's on July 8.
No arrests have been made as the investigation continues.
''We learned through an informant that there was a theft ring going on and then we were able to infiltrate that and turn a couple people involved,'' Zink said. ''They were stealing products from any type of store, it didn't matter.''
Zink said the stores had to have known they were purchasing stolen goods. And in fact, during a recent sting, the thieves told the stores the goods were stolen, he said.
''We have not charged them as of yet, but absolutely,'' he said. ''It's going to be a number of possible charges. . . . It's hard for me to comprehend how they would believe it was not stolen.''
Phil Trexler can be reached at 330-996-3717 or ptrexler@thebeaconjournal.com.
Two men have been at it for years. Now, they're sharing their secrets with police, dragging down at least two local businesses at the same time.
Get the full article here.
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