3 ATTEMPTED TO ROB APARTMENT

ALL THREE QUICKLY ARRESTED

Elyria – When the “Alert Tone” sounded across the Elyria Police radio Tuesday night – Officers were being advised of a possible burglary in progress on Georgetown Ave. Officers began to swarm the area as additional information began coming in.

A woman contacted the Police and was advising the Dispatcher, who was relaying the information immediately to Officers, that three men, two of which were wearing black hoods, were attempting to break into an apartment in the “J” building of Sherwood Forrest Apartments on Georgetown – next to North Rec.

Officers quickly surrounded the complex while another Officer began to walk toward the courtyard behind “J” building. As soon as that Officer rounded the corner he spotted a male wearing a hooded jacket about 50’ away – the Officer ordered him to stop twice but the man continued to run west. The Officer began searching the area and within a few minutes spotted the man lying against a building using bushes as a cover. The man was taken into custody and identified as 19 year old Carlos Frias of Lorain.

While that man was being arrested other Officers searching the complex spotted two males attempting to the leave the parking lot. While speaking to the two males Police say that the men told them that they were lost and made a wrong turn. The two men insisted that they did not Frias. When Officers found an Ohio Identification card belonging to Frias in the back seat and showed it to the two men they continued to say that did not know him.

Officers who went to the apartment that the men were attempting to break into found pry marks to the wooden door at apartment J33 and wood shavings on the floor. While searching the car Officers found a flat tip screwdriver under the drivers seat, hidden up inside the seat. While another Officer was doing a search around the “J” building he spotted a lug wrench that was sticking up out of the ground. This tool matched the damage to the door exactly.

Police say that while all three men continued to say they were not involved in the attempted break in, Frias did admit to knowing the other two men.

The eye witness told Officers that all three men had taken turns trying to break into the apartment using a crow bar. She also advised that all three men were wearing dark clothing and jackets. Once outside, two of the men went in one direction while the third walked between the buildings. The witness also advised Officers that she believed the men were driving a black colored vehicle.

The other two men arrested were identified as 26 year old Paul Morales Jr. of Jacksonville, Florida and 36 year old Antonio Luis Arocho of Orlando, Florida.

Frias was charged with Attempted Burglary (F-3) and Obstructing Official Business (M-2). Morales was charged with Attempted Burglary (F-3) and Possession of Criminal Tools (F-5). Arocho was charged with Attempted Burglary (F-3). All three men were held pending the posting of bond or a morning court appearance.


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