Related: Geauga County Sheriff Hosts Trunk or Treat, Seeks Dispatchers
Children Struck at Bus Stop
Two children were struck by a vehicle at a West Geauga Local Schools bus stop on October 16. A 12-year-old girl and 13-year-old boy were walking through the community center parking lot near View Drive and Elm Drive in Newbury Township around 8 a.m. when a distracted 20-year-old driver struck them.
The girl was taken to UH Geauga Medical Center and then flown by medical helicopter to another hospital. The boy was treated at UH Geauga Medical Center. The 20-year-old driver is expected to face charges.
West Geauga Local Schools sent a note to families stating they had limited details to share as the Ohio State Patrol investigates. The district confirmed students who witnessed the incident are receiving additional support at Westwood and Lindsey schools.
Amish Family Targeted in Violent Home Invasion
The Geauga County Sheriff’s Department made multiple arrests in connection with a violent home invasion targeting an Amish family in Middlefield Township on October 9. The primary suspect, 33-year-old Bradford James Hosler of Canton, was arrested October 11 and charged with aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary and aggravated kidnapping. He is being held on $750,000 cash bond.
Sheriff Scott A. Hildenbrand called the crime “particularly disturbing,” stating that three men pretended to be potential customers at the family’s business before attacking a 40-year-old man and his 8-year-old son with stun guns, threatening to kidnap the child, and stealing up to $5,000.
Two additional suspects, William Luke Hatfield, 41, of Massillon, and Randall Keither Cromer, 37, of Doylestown, were arrested October 15 in Canton after a standoff. A fourth suspect, Ricky Lee Martin, 43, of Canton, was arrested October 16. Martin allegedly worked as an Amish taxi driver and scouted potential targets for criminal activities.
Hosler, described as the “ringleader” and “primary aggressor,” was on parole at the time with a GPS monitoring device that placed him at the scene. He previously served 119 days in Warren Correctional Institute and was released on parole August 8 for felony domestic violence and breaking and entering charges.
“Don’t ever come into this county and commit a crime like this because we will find you and you will go to jail,” Sheriff Hildenbrand said at a press conference. “Our detectives are working night and day to get these guys off the street.”
Intoxicated Man Steals Ambulance from Hospital
On October 14, Patrick Dowling, 66, of Hiram, allegedly stole an ambulance from University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center while intoxicated. The incident occurred around 11 p.m. when Dowling, who had been brought to the hospital from Chardon for medical clearance, walked out and drove away in the running ambulance.
Dashboard camera footage shows deputies following the stolen ambulance for several miles along Ravenna Road before Dowling finally pulled over in Newbury Township. He was taken into custody without incident and charged with grand theft auto, disrupting public service, operating a vehicle under the influence and other related offenses.
“The ambulance was running. There was a man brought to the hospital from Chardon that was intoxicated,” Sheriff Hildenbrand explained. “At some point, he decided he didn’t want to stay there anymore, so he walked out of the hospital, jumped into the ambulance and drove off.”
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