Friday, July 10, 1998
A 47-year-old Anderson Township man apparently drowned Thursday morning in his swimming pool in the 1800 block of Wexwood Lane, the Hamilton County Sheriff's Department said.
Larry Morrison was found in the pool about 10 a.m. by his wife. The Anderson Township Fire and Rescue unit responded and found Mr. Morrison in the pool, wearing a swimming suit.
"His wife said he usually would take his exercise by swimming in the pool each morning," said Steve Barnett, director of community relations for the sheriff's department. "Preliminary investigations indicate that death was caused by an accidental drowning. It doesn't appear that there was any foul play."
The sheriff's department and the county coroner are investigating.
Bank robber on the loose
COLERAIN TOWNSHIP -- Investigators were searching for a robber who hit a Colerain Avenue bank Thursday.
There were several customers inside the Star Bank in the 8200 block of Colerain about 4:30 p.m. when a man handed a teller a note stating "This is a robbery." The man indicated he had a gun, Hamilton County sheriff's investigators said.
The teller handed over an undetermined amount of cash and the robber fled through the bank's rear door, investigators said. He was last seen running toward Clara Street.
The suspect is described as African-American, about 6 feet tall and weighing about 160 pounds. He was wearing a red T-shirt, black denim pants and a ball cap.
Top three pianists to perform tonight
Three finalists have been chosen in the 1998 World Piano Competition. They will perform at 7 p.m. today at the Aronoff Center for the Arts, Jarson-Kaplan Theater.
They are Vakhtang Kodanashvili, 20, of the Republic of Georgia; Theodora Satolia, 23, of Greece; and Dmitri Teterin, 26, of Russia. Each artist will perform a concerto with the World Festival Orchestra, Giesle Ben-Dor conducting.
Tickets for the Go for the Gold concert are $15-$25 at the Aronoff Center and Music Hall box offices, or charge by phone, 241-7469. Information: 421-5342.
Gun used in predawn robbery at restaurant
COLERAIN TOWNSHIP -- Police are looking for two people involved in an early-morning robbery Thursday at the Arby's Restaurant at 7900 Colerain Ave. The robbery occurred about 5:25 a.m. when a manager inside the store opened a rear door after hearing a knock, police said. The manager told police he thought it was an employee.
A man and woman forced their way into the building The man held a gun to the manager's head and demanded money. The pair took an undetermined amount and left through the rear door. The Hamilton County Sheriff's Department is investigating.
Convicted guard cites FBI's Mafia ceremony
CLEVELAND -- A man facing at least nine years in prison for his role in a drug deal security operation said Thursday he was certain during an FBI sting that he was dealing with the Mafia.
John Evanish, a former Cuyahoga County jail guard, said he was afraid for his life if he failed to help protect drug deals he thought to be Mafia-connected.
He said the FBI conducted a phony -- but convincing -- Mafia induction ceremony for Michael Joye, the reputed ringleader of the protection operation, Nov. 12. Mr. Evanish said he waited for Mr. Joye outside. "He came out white as a ghost. He said he was in the Mafia now. Joye totally believed it, that it was all Mafia-related," Mr. Evanish said.
Baker's ex-girlfriend guilty of obstruction
WILMINGTON, Ohio -- A day after Tracey Baker was sentenced to eight years for his role in the August 1996 disappearance of Carrie Culberson, his former girlfriend pleaded guilty Thursday to a count of obstructing justice.
A second count of obstructing justice was dropped.
The charges stemmed from attempts by Shannon Hodson, 21, of Wilmington to keep police from arresting Mr. Baker last September, according to a Clinton County indictment.
