The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

Police charge five in Centerville mailbox smashing spree

Multiple cases of teacher misconduct a wakeup call for Northmont
Updated 12 min. ago
Ferguson attempts suicide after being found guilty on all 32 counts
10:05 a.m.
Seasonal flu shots to resume Monday
9:55 a.m.
Neighbors still trying  to recover from fatal fire
11/20/09
Churches want end to ‘shooting and killing’
11/20/09
> More headlines

By Katherine Ullmer, Staff Writer 5:06 PM Thursday, June 18, 2009

CENTERVILLE — The Centerville Police have charged five men aged 18 to 21 with criminal damaging and possession of criminal tools in connection with more than 130 reports of damaged mailboxes in at least five neighborhoods of Centerville during the early morning and late evening hours of Tuesday, June 16.

The crime is a misdemeanor, with a maximum fine of $750, 90 days in jail, court costs and restitution for damages, according to Centerville Crime Prevention Officer Matt Dunn.

The neighborhoods involved included Black Oak, Black Oak South, Nestle Creek, Village South and Red Coach in north and east central Centerville.

Dunn said officers stopped the vehicle used in the offenses at 11:25 p.m. June 16 and identified five suspects in the crimes:

Justin L. Robbelard, 20, of Centerville; Joshua A. Moberly, 18, of Centerville; John “Wesley” Moberly, 21, of Centerville: Paul R. Huber, III, 19, of Miamisburg; and Steven M. Christman Jr., 18, of Bellbrook.

All admitted to smashing the mailboxes, Dunn said. They used two aluminum bats, swinging them while hanging out the side of the car, he said.

He said the reason they gave for their vandalism was that it was something to do. “They thought it was fun.”

Two of the men participated in both the morning and evening mailbox smashings and three were involved in just one of the times the group went out, he said.

All were released on their own recognizance and have been ordered into Kettering Municipal Court, where they will go before a judge sometime next week, Dunn said.

No damage estimate has been made at this time, Dunn said. Anyone expecting restitution for a mailbox damaged during the crime spree must file a report with the Centerville police, he said.

Share this article