Congratulations to Joe Patton of Ohio Means Jobs and Sheriff Matthew Treglia. Both were honored by the Allen Lima Leadership program at Wednesday’s Class of 2017 A.L.L. Graduation ceremony. Joe is a 2015 graduate of the program and was awarded the A.L.L. Distinguished Community Leadership Award. Sheriff Treglia is a 2014 graduate of the Allen Lima Leadership program and was honored with the Alumnus of the Year Award. http://www.limaohio.com/news/262223/all-class-graduates-new-class-welcomed

Our deputies are routinely asked questions such as: What does heroin look like? What signs should I look for if I think someone is using crack? What drug problems exist aside from heroin? To help answer these questions and continue to push for greater awareness, our office collaborated with L.A.W. Publications to create an Educational Drug Abuse booklet that is going to be made available to citizens throughout Allen County. It is a great 36 page book that would not have been possible without the support of the listed sponsors. We want to thank all those listed and encourage everyone to learn about the dangerous drugs plaguing our streets. Thank You, 501 Metals and Lumber, Begonia Computer Services, Chiles-Laman Funeral Homes, Elmview Pizza & Pub, Lima Chevrolet Cadillac, Orthopedic Institute of Ohio, Siferd-Orians Funeral Home, Ultimate RB, Allison Family Chiropractic, Benjamin Steel, Degeb Excavating Co., Good Equipment Co., Mama Cellas Pizza Station, Padrones Pizza Shawnee, Ben Anderson State Farm, Washam Plumbing – Electrical - Heating and Air, Apollo Career Center, Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home, El Gallito Do Oro Mexican Restaurant, Jim Lynch Insurance Agency, Oaks Golf Club, Proforma, The Lima Lumber Co., Weber Funeral, and Delphos Granite Works.

Here are two upcoming events for two great and deserving organizations. The Allen County Board of DD (October 5th) and the Equestrian Therapy Program (October 14th).

On Wed. September 13, 2017 at approx. 3:20pm two black males entered the Dollar General at 417 E. Main St. Beaverdam, Ohio. Both subjects were wearing hooded sweatshirts, one red and the other black. Both entered the business with their hoods pulled up over their heads. The two subjects walked around the inside of the business for several minutes while the cashier tended to several other customers. Prior to approaching the cashier at the front of the store, the subjects removed chrome skeleton Halloween masks from a display within the business, placing them on their faces to conceal their identity. Once other customers had concluded their business and left the store one of the two masked subjects approached the cashier and demanded money from the register. The subject then brandished a small silver handgun and again demanded the money. The subject then fired one round in the direction of the cashier. As the cashier ran from the checkout area to seek safety, the subject fired a second round from the handgun in her direction. Neither shot fired by the subject struck the cashier who was able to take safety in the front office of the business. Both subjects fled on foot and were last seen running northwest of the business. No one was injured during the incident. Anyone with any information regarding the subjects involved is asked to contact the Allen Co. Sheriffs Office Detective Bureau at (419) 993-1422 or Crime Stoppers at (419) 229-STOP (7867).

**UPDATE** This individual has been identified and a warrant has been issued for Aggravated Robbery. Thank you to everyone for the assistance. The Allen County Sheriff’s Office Detective Bureau is investigating an aggravated robbery that took place at Adult Mart, located at 1406 Elida Road. On September 9, 2017 at approximately 12:01 am the unknown white male in the attached photo entered the business and brandished a knife while demanding money from the employee. After receiving an undisclosed amount of money, the male fled the business in an unknown direction. The same male subject entered the store last night with unknown intentions. He wandered around the store while the employee dealt with another customer. The victimized employee from the previous robbery recognized the individual and when she began to use the phone, he quickly exited the store. Any information regarding the crime or the identity of the male in the photograph can be forwarded directly to Detective Ryan Ream or submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers. Detective Ream: 419-993-1413 Desk 419-235-7735 Crime Stoppers: 419-229-STOP (7867)

We would like to thank the Olive Garden for feeding our employees who had to work Labor Day. They Treated the 25 employees that had to work the holiday to a delicious meal. Thank you guys for thinking of our employees on the holiday.

Thank you to Mandy Weimerskirch and the Delphos Running Club participants for letting my office be a part of this great organization. This club has helped many awesome charities for several years and I look forward to continuing to support them any way I can.

Thank you to the Rotary Club of Lima for their continued support of our D.A.R.E. Program. Our D.A.R.E. program wouldn't be possible without the generosity of individual supporters and groups like this.

Thank you to the Allen East High School SADD Team, the family of Aaron Ehrnsberger, MADD, the Allen County Commissioners Office, the law enforcement, fire and elected officials, Ford Motor Company, and the Lima Allen County Safe Community Coalition, who all took part in this event.. While making plans to go out, make plans to get back home safely!!

West Central Ohio Crime Task Force activity: 8-14-2017 The task force received a tip in reference to a reported missing female (Mary Robinson) out of Toledo. It was believed she was staying in motels in and around Lima. Investigators located an online advertisement and phone number for Mary Robinson and a short term investigation resulted in her arrest for solicitation. Those concerned for her well-being were notified that she was found. 8-15-2017 The task force along with assistance from the Lima Police Department, conducted targeted proactive drug enforcement operations in Allen County. A suspected narcotics transaction was witnessed by officers and a traffic stop was initiated in the 400 block of N. Main St. in Lima. During the stop marijuana and 9 grams of suspected crack cocaine were found. One suspect was arrested. The case will be presented to Allen County Grand Jury at a later date. 8-17-2017 The task force assisted the Van Wert County Sheriff's Office with an active Meth Lab. Van Wert Deputies located the Meth Lab while serving an arrest warrant on Eric Hernandez of Ohio City, on Harrison Willshire Line Road. Suspected Methamphetamine, Hypodermic Needles, Unknown Pills, and numerous items used in the production of Meth, were found while serving a search warrant on the residence. Photos from the incident and the warrant suspect Eric Hernandez, are attached to this post.

*** Thank you to everyone for the shares and ideas. We are going to partner with the BBB over the next few weeks in order to spread this message to every home in our county. We are going to try new ideas, a couple of which were taken from these comments. Victims range in age, but the majority that end up falling for the scams are between about 50 and 75 years old. People as young as 18 have fallen for similar scams as well, so talk to your kids, your parents, your neighbors, etc. and encourage them to pass the word on. If YOU DON'T LOOK UP the business or agency personally, and call them back yourself directly, DON'T give them anything!! No reputable business or agency is going to be mad about you telling them that you will call them back for issues such as this.**** We need new ideas on how to get this message out and understood, especially with the most vulnerable of citizens. Any Ideas are appreciated. The problem of telephone SCAMS continues in Allen County and throughout the country EVERYDAY!! We reach out as often as we can but we need to find ways to get the message across to EVERYONE. NO law enforcement agency in this state is going to call you and threaten you with arrest for non-payment of ANYTHING!! No agency that we have ever been in contact with will take fees, bonds, taxes, or any other payment exclusively in the form of an untraceable cash card of any type, over the phone, or through a western union terminal. If you get this type of call immediately hang up and call our office (419) 227-3535 or your local law enforcement agency direct. Do NOT let these people intimidate you into sending them money. Do NOT trust your caller id.