Journal-News.com

Following weeks of reported thefts from vehicles in a square mile section of Oxford, police have arrested three suspects and issued a warrant for another.

Emily Seymour, 19, Amanda Albright, 19, and Robert Raybourne, 18, all were arrested in conjunction to the rash of thefts. Albright was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, Raybourne for endangering children and Seymour was charged with receiving stolen property, forgery and misuse of a credit card.

In addition to the three initial arrests, police issued a warrant for the arrest of Kenneth Raybourne, 38, for receiving stolen property. Detectives were able to recover more than $9,000 in stolen goods, clearing a total of 13 separate vehicle break-ins.

"This was all a result of good police work," Sgt. Jim Squance said. "Our detectives put a lot of time and effort into solving these cases and I'm happy to see them resolved."

Squance said the investigation received a lead when one of the cars broken into contained a purse and a credit card. The credit card was used at a Circle K shortly after it was reported stolen, leading officers to speak with store management. Officers were able to obtain a security video of the transaction that showed a female, alledgedly Seymour, attempting to use the victim's stolen credit card. The video also showed a maroon four-door Cadillac the woman was driving, further helping police track her down.

Detectives were able to identify the owner of the Cadillac by asking around and learned he had a girlfriend who matched the description of the girl in the security video, Squance said. After receiving a tip that the vehicle was located at a trailer park in McGonigle, officers were able to detain Seymour and question her.

"As they spoke with her, it was kind of a domino effect. Things just started to all fall into place," Squance said.

Police searched Seymour's vehicle, where they said they found some of the stolen property from the break-ins. Squance said after interviewing other potential suspects, officers executed search warrants on two residences, where they recovered additional stolen property. In addition to the stolen property, officers reported discovering both methamphetamine and marijuana paraphernalia at 5032 College Corner Pike #16. The methamphetamine materials were found in the same room as a child's crib, prompting the child endangering charge against Raybourne.

Squance said it's too early to know for sure, but said he suspects the thefts were used to fuel some sort of drug activity. He said there is a chance other parties are involved and said detectives are still investigating the possibility at this point. Crimes of this nature are fairly commonplace in Oxford, he said, as Miami students appear to be and make themselves easy targets.

"They leave their car doors unlocked and leave valuable items inside to steal," he said. "It's just a matter of time before something happens."

Among the items recovered by the searches were stereo systems, tools, computers, speakers and video game consoles. Police said they weren't sure if there was a clear-cut leader among the four, but were certain they were all working together and knew each other.

"Our message once again is that people shouldn't set themselves up to be victims," Squance said. "Lock your doors and take any valuables inside because there are people out there who will steal to fuel their addictions."

Contact this reporter at (513) 523-4139, ext. 86102, or at rgauthier@coxohio.com.