GOSHEN TOWNSHIP — A rookie part-time township police officer narrowly escaped injury early Tuesday when a suspected burglar opened fire with a high-powered Russian assault rifle on his cruiser, police said.

        Officer Ron Robinson, who has been on the Clermont County police force seven months, crouched behind his cruiser to escape the hail of bullets during the 1:45 a.m. incident at Ohio 48 and Rolling Knoll Drive, police said.

Horton

Dunaway

        Christopher Horton, 20, of Goshen Township and Shawn Dunaway, 22, of Blanchester had burglarized the O'Bannon Creek Golf Club on Ohio 48 just minutes before, Goshen Township police said.

        About $10,000 worth of golf clubs, clothing and computers — plus fake money from the club — were found in the suspects' car, police said.

        Officer Robinson was responding to a burglary alarm at the private club when a vehicle exited the property at high speed. The officer chased it for about three miles before the vehicle became disabled.

        As the vehicle rolled to a stop, Mr. Horton, armed with the long rifle, jumped from the passenger's side. Three of four shots hit the cruiser, putting holes in the windshield and roof line, and blowing out the rear window, police said.

        Mr. Horton surrendered after his rifle jammed.

        “During my interview with Horton, I asked him why he would attempt to take the life of a police officer over a low-grade felony,” Goshen Township Police Chief Ray Snyder said. “He explained to me he has no use whatsoever for police officers. Given the opportunity and the right weapon, he (said he) would kill any police officer at any time.”

        A shaken Officer Robinson declined to be interviewed Tuesday.

        He didn't return fire because he couldn't see the shooter clearly, there was little lighting and the shooting occurred in a residential area, the chief said.

        Mr. Horton and Mr. Dunaway are charged with attempted aggravated murder, aggravated robbery, breaking and entering, and felony fleeing and eluding.

        All the charges are felonies.

        In hearings Tuesday afternoon, a Clermont County Municipal judge ordered Mr. Horton held in lieu of $1 million cash bond; Mr. Dunaway was ordered held in lieu of $500,000 cash bond.

        The burglary was the first at the 400-member golf club since it was established in 1976, said Marianne Utz-Sahms, head golf professional.

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