CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Local authorities are investigating a residential burglary in Ross County that a woman without her essential household appliances on Monday morning. The theft, which included two televisions, a washer, and a dryer, occurred in the dead of night, stirring concerns among the community members.
The woman reported to the Ross County Sheriff’s Office that an unknown intruder, or possibly multiple, forced open a window to her residence to gain entry. Upon inspecting her home, she discovered that along with her 50″ LG and 43″ TCL televisions, her washer and dryer were also missing. The stark reality of the theft hit the woman hard, as the appliances were still being paid off through Rent-2-Own in Chillicothe.
The incident took a more unsettling turn as her neighbor disclosed observing suspicious activities around the residence around 2:30 a.m. The neighbor recounted seeing three males, clad in dark clothing, entering the residence via the breached window, and later exiting with what appeared to be the woman’s belongings. A dark, possibly black SUV, was reportedly used by the perpetrators, giving them a means to transport the stolen goods.
Despite finding the nocturnal activity odd, especially given the masked appearance of two individuals and the late hour, the neighbor did not contact the law enforcement, assuming that one person she recognized among the intruders was retrieving items for the homeowner.
The miscommunication between neighbors highlights a troubling lapse that facilitated the criminals’ escape. The concerned neighbor admitted to not having the owner’s contact information to clarify the situation, raising questions on communal vigilance and communication in preventing crime.
