Post
by joatmon » Sat Aug 04, 2007 2:17 pm
here's one Ohio Vibe that won't be cominghttp://xeniagazette.1upmonitor...72.12Quote »XENIA – Two Springfield men will likely face felony charges in Greene County after a Thursday sting operation designed to catch those responsible for a recent string of smash-and-grab thefts from cars parked near Miami Township nature areas.Earl Baker III, 35, and Robert Carpenter, 18, were in the Greene County Jail Friday evening awaiting arraignment in Xenia Municipal Court on charges that could include multiple counts of felony theft, complicity and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, according to detectives at the Greene County Sheriff’s Office.Responding to several reports of money, purses and other high-value items being swiped from cars parked near Glen Helen Natural Area, Clifton Gorge and John Bryan State Park over the last few weeks, detectives placed bait cars in the area Thursday with cash or other valuables visible. Baker and Carpenter were allegedly working together and took the bait when, detectives said, they busted into one of the cars around 3 p.m.Carpenter was arrested near the scene, police said, but Baker fled in the Pontiac Vibe hatchback he was driving. Deputies unsuccessfully attempted to pull Baker over in Yellow Springs, and Baker instead sped south on U.S. 68.A brief pursuit was discontinued after Baker came close to causing a few crashes, but sheriff’s deputies and Xenia police tracked him to a housing plat north of Xenia High School, police said.Xenia police arrested Baker after he crashed in a yard on Old Springfield Pike and began to flee on foot. Baker was examined at Greene Memorial Hospital, but was apparently not injured seriously in the crash, police said.According to court records, Baker pleaded guilty in October 2004 to several theft-related felony charges and was sentenced to 22 months in prison by Common Pleas Court Judge Stephen A. Wolaver.