Tipp City PD Roll Call

Saturday, October 14

1:48 p.m. – Theft at Menards, 75 Weller Dr.

Loss prevention reported a male inside the store was concealing small items inside the box of a larger item. The male had been in the store for a long time and was pacing back and forth. She began to watch him on the surveillance camera and he was currently upstairs in the storeroom.

Two officers remained outside until another officer observed the male walk past the checkout area.

A manager walked to the storeroom and was able to observe the male and relayed the information to loss prevention. The male was cutting smaller pieces of cardboard over the larger box to make it appear as through nothing was tampered with. The male also used packing tape to seal the larger box back together. A price sticker was removed from a lower price item and placed on the larger box. The male then exited the storeroom and walked down to the main area of the store where he picked up a few more items placing them on top of the larger box. The male proceeds to checkout where the visible items were purchased.

The male exits the store and two officers instruct him to step to the side. When asked if he was in possession of items he didn’t pay for, the male began to say he was not. One officer informed him there was a reason they believed there was and honesty was what would work best at this point. The male’s story changed and advised there were a few items.

The male was escorted back inside to the loss prevention office. After being read his Miranda Warning, the male agreed to speak with the officers. Dispatch ran the male through LEADS and it was found he had an active warrant out of Xenia. Loss prevention scanned the items concealed not paid for which totaled $2,137.91.

It was at this time the male began grabbing his chest, stating he thought he was overdosing after swallowing fentanyl. Medics were called and it was decided the male would be transported to an area hospital.

A warrant was issued for Christopher Hellmund, 55, of Dayton, for the theft charge.

6:19 p.m. – Telecommunication harassment in the 600 block of N. Hyatt St.

An intoxicated male reported he was getting Facebook messages from a prostitute. Officer advised the male to delete his account.

Tuesday, October 17

10:50 a.m. – Theft from CVS, 914 W. Main St.

Manager wished to report a Sunday, October 15, theft. At 3:53 p.m. the suspect walked into the store. After wandering around for approximately one hour, he walks to an aisle and removes an item from the shelf and proceeds to the restroom. At 4:58 p.m., the suspect exits the restroom and walks out of the store. Manager reported the suspect stole a “Plus One” vibrating wand valued at $41.99.

Officer’s report noted the suspect is similar in stature and wearing similar shoes as the theft suspect in another case.

9:03 p.m. – Assist citizen at PD, 260 S. Garber Dr.

RP had a suspect’s name thought to be involved in recent vehicle break ins and thefts. This suspect has a warrant out of Montgomery County and currently living at large. This person inconsistently comes to Tipp. RP was asked to call 911 if this suspect is seen in Tipp.

Wednesday, October 18

12:04 p.m. – Traffic stop on I-75 overpass, W. Main St.

A Troy officer in an unmarked car witnessed a vehicle make several marked lanes violations and feared this could cause a crash. Due to the vehicle being a safety hazard, the Troy Officer conducted a traffic stop and a Tipp Officer responded to the scene.

While speaking with the driver, officer noticed she had pin-point pupils and trouble keeping her eyes open. She also had slurred speech and sluggish uncoordinated body movements. The driver denied any illegal drug use. She then admitted to using fentanyl, but again denied drug use on this day.

After agreeing to submit to a series of standardized field tests, testing was stopped due to her lack of balance. She was placed under arrest and transported to the PD where she agreed to submit to a urine test. At one point the driver asked if drugs were found in her urine would it be a higher charge. After answering her questions, the driver then refused the urine test advising she would be charge anyway. The driver then admitted to taking Xanax. Unsure if the Xanax contained fentanyl, medics were called as a precaution. The driver decided she wanted to be transported to an area hospital.

Officer followed the medic to the hospital where he issued Rebecca Staley, 57, of Piqua, a citation for OVI.

While an officer was assisting with towing of her vehicle, her passenger fell over and appeared to be overdosing. Medics responded but the passenger refused treatment.

Friday, October 20

1:21 a.m. – Unruly juvenile in the 800 block of Westedge Dr.

Juveniles were found hiding a bush. They advised they had snuck out of their houses in order to prank another juvenile. Officer advised they were out past curfew and would be transported to their homes.

Juveniles were transported home and released to a parent. Neither were charged as this was their first offense.

3:14 p.m. – Arson in the 700 block of Shoshoni Way.

Detective was contacted by the Arson Investigator advising the fire department had requested he respond to Shoshoni Way in reference to a car fire.

Officer advised the detective that someone had set a paper envelope on top of a vehicle’s tire and set the paper on fire. An eight-year-old was on scene and shared a woman in a bathrobe had set the fire and then ran north on Shoshoni.

Upon the detective’s arrival, he observed an officer speaking with a juvenile. He was now saying it was his friend that set the fire but wouldn’t provide his name. Detective explained that committing a crime was bad, but lying about it to the police is very bad. Detective also explained that he would be reviewing surveillance footage from homes in the area to determine who set the fire. The juvenile asked if he would be put away if it was him. He was asked if he set the fire and the juvenile started to cry and told the detective yes.

The juvenile was transported to the PD where his mother also responded. After speaking with his mother and a case worker from Children’s Protective Services (CPS), detective spoke with the juvenile.

The juvenile admitted to leaving home with a lighter looking for something to catch on fire. He was unsuccessful in starting two porch fires on separate residences. He then located an envelope, carried it to the car and after placing it on the tire, lit it on fire. Once it caught fire, he knocked on the door to let the homeowner know her car was on fire.

After consulting with a prosecutor, it was determined due to the child’s age, no charges would be filed. The juvenile would be under the guidance of CPS.