Friday, August 14, 1998
A Hamilton County grand jury Thursday indicted five people on kidnapping and aggravated robbery charges in connection with a botched bank robbery earlier this month at a Fifth Third Bank in the West End.
The suspected getaway driver, who had a baby in the back seat of the car, initially got away without any of the suspected robbers in the Aug. 4 heist. A paper trail of cash was dropped as the suspects tried to escape.
Clifford Jones, 21, of the West End and Trenton Pope, 18, and Timothy Pope, 19, both of Madisonville were each indicted on two counts of kidnapping and four counts each of robbery and aggravated robbery. Trenton Pope also was indicted on a charge of violating a previous court order not to have weapons.
Eric Chaffer, 18, of the West End was indicted on two counts of kidnapping, three counts of aggravated robbery and five counts of robbery. The suspected getaway driver, Sarah Schmidt, 21, of Sharonville was indicted on three counts of kidnapping, four counts each of aggravated robbery and robbery, and one count each of escape and receiving stolen property.
Also indicted was a sixth suspect in the bank robbery attempt. Christina Blanton of West Chester was indicted on one count each of kidnapping, obstructing justice and receiving stolen property. Authorities allege she helped Ms. Schmidt elude the police.
14-year-old to be tried as adult in rape case
A 24-year-old Harrison woman was freed from jail Thursday after a Hamilton County grand jury declined to indict her on a charge she assisted in an Aug. 5 bank robbery.
The grand jury ignored a charge of complicity to robbery for Jennifer L. Pierce. The Hamilton County Sheriff's Department had charged Ms. Pierce in connection with the robbery of Northside Bank and Trust, 9315 Colerain Ave. Colerain Township.
The sheriff's department charged Vincent D. Walsh, 29, of Groesbeck with robbing the bank with a toy gun. Ms. Pierce said Thursday she had only dropped the suspect off for a job interview.
Mr. Walsh was indicted Thursday on robbery and kidnapping charges in connection with the bank robbery.
Hamilton car crash kills 1, injures another
HAMILTON -- A car crash in Hamilton on Thursday killed one woman and injured a second person.
The accident happened at 12:42 p.m. at the intersection of Erie Highway and Lincoln Avenue in central Hamilton. A 73-year-old woman was pronounced dead at Hamilton's Mercy Hospital.
Hamilton police are investigating. They would not release any names pending notification of family members.
14-year-old to be tried as adult in rape case
A 14-year-old West End boy is competent to stand trial on rape charges in adult court, Judge Norbert A. Nadel ruled Thursday in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court.
Maurice Stewart is accused of raping a 9-year-old girl. He is the youngest person to be prosecuted as an adult in Hamilton County. The boy allegedly tricked the girl into his house on West Liberty Street, telling her his sister wanted to play with her, prosecutors have said. Once the girl was inside the house, the boy locked the door, blindfolded her, tied her hands behind her back and raped her, they allege.
A trial date should be set next month.
China Buffet to reopen as Indian restaurant
The China Buffet restaurant at 7633 Reading Road in Roselawn that was ordered closed last month by city health officials has been sold to be converted to an Indian restaurant.
On July 9, the restaurant became the first in several years to be closed by the Cincinnati Health Department after inspectors found 15 code violations including signs of roach infestation, unsafe food storage and employees not washing their hands.
A reopening date has not been set. First, the new owner, Bharit Patel, must make several repairs to the building and file for a new operating license.
First burn victim sent home
One day after a hero in the Auxier Gas explosions in Batavia died at a local hospital, the first victim to go home was released Thursday, a University Hospital spokeswoman said.
Josh Barnes, 18, is the first of the six burn victims of the propane explosion last Friday to be released.
On Wednesday night, Robert Wood, 48, who fire officials say might have saved lives when he tried to turn off a valve, then after the first explosion warned firefighters of additional danger, died at University Hospital. Four others remain in fair condition. Auxier released a statement which read: "We are saddened and heartbroken about our friend and co-worker of over 30 years. Our hearts go out to his wife, Sharon, and the rest of his family. Godspeed Bob Wood."
Teen found bound was sexually assaulted
Cincinnati police are classifying the assault of a Pleasant Ridge teen Wednesday afternoon as an attempted rape and abduction.
The 14-year-old girl was taking a path along railroad tracks as a shortcut home from grocery shopping at the nearby Bigg's when she was grabbed from behind, bound, gagged and sexually assaulted, police said.
Her attacker "attempted to keep her quiet while he tore her clothes" and assaulted her, a police report says. She was bound with an electrical cord. Her shirt and shorts were cut, and she had abrasions on her face and arm but was not seriously injured.
The man told her he would be back, but workers at a nearby business spotted her first and called police.
Her grocery receipt was stamped at 2 p.m., and police were called just after 3:30 p.m.
The girl told police she did not know her attacker. She described him as a 6-foot-2, 150-pound black man who was between 21 and 36 years old and wore a green hat, black pants and a green shirt.
Police were trying to develop a composite sketch of the suspect Thursday.
