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Teens arrested for mailbox vandalism: 3 face criminal damaging for setting Atwater fires

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Colin McEwen
October 7, 2009
Mailboxes off of Freedom Rd in Ravenna,
Mailboxes off of Freedom Rd in Ravenna,

 

By Colin McEwen

Record-Courier staff writer

Three teenagers police believe set fire to mailboxes in Atwater over the weekend were arrested and charged with criminal damaging.

Hayden Welch, 19, of 5676 Giddings Road,  Rootstown; Marcus Allen Gillis, 18, of 1608 S.R.183, Atwater; and a 14-year-old boy will face three counts each of criminal damaging, a third-degree misdemeanor.

The Portage County Sheriff’s Office — along with the Atwater Fire Department — responded to a call of a mailbox on fire on Wilson Avenue in Atwater Township. 

When deputies arrived they found several mailboxes had been stuffed with paper and sticks, and set on fire. 

A witness reported seeing what appeared to be four juvenile boys in the area, allegedly burning one of the mailboxes, said Portage County Sheriff Dave Doak. 

Deputies responded to where the boys were last spotted, and through surveillance were able to locate them. 

Doak said after questioning, it was determined that the trio was involved. He said an investigation is ongoing to see if there is a connection between the teens and other area criminal damaging reports in recent weeks.

“We are going to follow up on this,” he said. “I think kids get bored and they think its a prank. They don’t realize the consequences.”

Gillis also was charged with prohibitions, a first-degree misdemeanor, as deputies suspect he was drinking alcohol, Doak said.

Both Welch and Gillis pleaded not guilty in Portage County Municipal Court on Monday and were released on personal recognizance bonds.

 




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 5 Total Comments
5.
    Posted by Mr. Destiny October 8, 2009
AGREED!!! 100%

4.
    Posted by Voice October 8, 2009
I don't disagree with MyGirl42187 but I also think they should be required to personally repair all reported mail box damages at their expense which has occurred over the last 6 months. Having mommy or daddy pay the fine will teach them nothing.

3.
    Posted by Mr. Destiny October 7, 2009
This punks could use an old fashioned A$$ whipping. I dont care who that offends.

2.
    Posted by Vydunas October 7, 2009
About time some of these kids had to pay. We lost a beautiful hand-painted mailbox due to bat-wielding yobbos. Now we've got nasty cheap plastic, held on with bungee cords. No fun here!

1.
    Posted by Ship Hits the Sand October 7, 2009
They should burn them at the mailbox.

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