Dozens of victims in 10-county burglary ring

Two Fairborn residents have been arrested in connection.

A months-long burglary ring involving 10 counties and dozens of victims is ending in arrests and some property recovered.

The home burglaries started in September in two sections of the region — northern Clinton County into Greene County and southern Clinton County into Highland and Adams counties, said Clinton County Sheriff Ralph D. Fizer Jr.

“Firearms is their choice of taking anything in the homes,” Fizer said. “And of course that really alarms us because what are they going to do with these firearms, where are they going to wind up?”

Those arrested in connection have been Jerry L. Adams, 33, and Bobbie Hull, 33, both of Fairborn.

Adams is in Greene County Jail on three counts of burglary, aggravated burglary, theft, having weapons under disability, safe cracking and improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle.

Fizer said some of the firearms and property, including jewelry, cash and electronics, have been recovered.

“It’s very nice to get people’s property back and even better when it’s firearms involved because we don’t want those firearms out on the street,” Fizer said.

Fizer said across 10 counties, about 40 homes were hit. In Clinton County alone, seven homes were burglarized and an estimated $5,000 in property taken.

“We believe we’ve got it wrapped up; one suspect we’re looking for,” Fizer said.

In Greene County, about five residences were included in the burglary ring.

Lorena Boes, of New Jasper Twp., said her home was hit Sept. 3. Her husband came home from work to find the door wide open.

“When we went into the bedroom it was pretty much ransacked,” Boes said.

The suspects stole three guns, hunting bows, the majority of Boes’ jewelry, and $1,500 in cash.

“It helps to know they got them off the street; I don’t want anybody else to have to go through what we went through,” Boes said. “It’s not just losing your stuff, it’s the not knowing if they’ll come back. It’s a little unnerving the fear. We got a security system afterwards.”

Boes said she hopes the suspects realize the damage of what they’ve done.

“It’s not just stuff, it’s sentimental stuff, it’s stuff people care about,” Boes said. “It’s their security; coming home not knowing what if somebody’s in the house and you don’t realize they’re in there.”

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