Man, 19, arrested following rash of thefts from vehicles in Genoa

GENOA - While one local man was arrested following numerous recent thefts from vehicles in Genoa, police are still receiving reports of vehicle break-ins.

Leonard G. Bloomfield II, 19, of Genoa, was arrested late last week and charged with theft and receiving stolen property, both first-degree misdemeanors, according to court records. Bloomfield is being held at the Ottawa County Detention Facility.

According to police, officers responded to a call near the Genoa Library around 2 a.m. Thursday for a man carrying two orange boxes. When police attempted to stop the man, he reportedly dropped the boxes and fled on foot.

The boxes contained nail guns and were returned to their owner, but police said a third box with a nail gun and accessories was still missing.

Bloomfield was arrested and charged on Friday after allegedly being caught in the act of attempting to sell one of the stolen tools, according to the Genoa Police Department.

The department first advised Genoa residents through a post on Facebook about the break-ins on May 15, after several reports from “all over the village” had been made about items stolen from vehicles over the night before.

Despite the arrest, Genoa Police are still receiving reports of overnight vehicle break-ins as recently as Tuesday. According to Genoa Police Chief Brad Weis, additional arrests could be coming.

“We’re still investigating,” Weis said.

While break-ins are still being reported, there are not yet as many as last week, according to police.

“It’s slowing down,” Weis said. “Most of them were just stealing change out of the cars, but some had bigger items, like (Bloomfield) stealing tools.”

Bloomfield is scheduled for an arraignment hearing in Ottawa County Municipal Court on Tuesday, May 29, at 1 p.m.

The Genoa Police Department asked that any village residents who have been the victim of a break-in or theft from their vehicle, or anyone who may have information regarding the incidents, call 419-855-8515. They also advised Genoa residents to lock their vehicles at night.

jstinchcom@gannett.com

419-680-4897

Twitter: @JonDBN