COPS NAB BURGLARY SUSPECTS

FOUND WITH STOLEN CIGARETTES
AND A 9MM HIGH POINT PISTOL

Elyria – While most people were sleeping an alert neighbor spotted two people attempting to break into GAS USA on Middle Ave at 4 a.m. and called Police.

Deputies from the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office heard the radio traffic and quickly alerted Police that they were investigating a bullet hole in the window of the East Ave Convenient and they had found a spent shell casing.

Officers arrived at GAS USA and found a window smashed out next to the front door. On the ground amongst the broken pieces of glass Officers found 5 live rounds and a spring from a pistol magazine. There was also a piece of plastic lying on the ground believed to be part of a magazine.

A short time into the search A Deputy and Police Officer spotted two people matching the description of the suspects on Gates Ave.

The two were identified as 21-year-old Alesha D.A. Tovar and 23-year-old Herbert A. Lewis III, both of Elyria. Officers asked and received permission to search the green duffel bag that Tovar had in her possession when they stopped the couple. Inside the bag they found 60 loose packs of Newport cigarettes and an unopened carton. When notified, Officers at GAS USA stated that they could observe through the open window that a Newport cigarette rack had been pulled out and appeared to be empty.

Police also found a 9mm High Point model C pistol in the back pocket of Lewis. In the same pocket Officers found a broken magazine and a plastic bottom of the magazine was missing. The bottom piece that Officers located at the store was later matched up with the broken magazine that Lewis had and they appeared as though they matched.

Lewis and Tovar were each charged with one count of Possession of Criminal Tools (F-5) and Breaking and Entering (F-5). Both were taken to the Elyria City Jail where they were held pending appearing in court or posting bond.


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