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.