LOCAL

Port Clinton man pleads guilty following Ottawa County crime spree

Jon Stinchcomb
Port Clinton News Herald
Caleb Lanning

PORT CLINTON - A local man accused of burglarizing and vandalizing dozens of campers and other properties pleaded guilty on Wednesday.

Caleb Lanning, 18, of Port Clinton, pleaded guilty to one count of burglary, a third-degree felony, and one count of attempted burglary, a fourth-degree felony, in Ottawa County Common Pleas Court.

Lanning and three others allegedly involved were previously indicted by a grand jury on 43 felony counts of breaking and entering, robbery, burglary, theft and vandalism following an alleged crime spree throughout Ottawa County earlier this year.

Lanning’s remaining charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

Lanning, along with Steven Rider, 25, and two juveniles, are accused of entering 25 properties, primarily homes, trailers and campers, between Portage and Catawba Island Township, where they reportedly stole items and vandalized the interior of many homes.

Lanning could face a maximum possible sentence of up to 4½ years in prison and a fine of $15,000.

“I made a stupid decision and I really do regret it because I’ve hurt my family,” Lanning said during a court hearing Wednesday.

Lanning is scheduled for sentencing at 11:30 a.m., Sept. 27, in Ottawa County Common Pleas Court.

Rider, who had reportedly had been on the run since being indicted by a grand jury in May, was arrested last week and is being held in the Ottawa County Detention Facility on $500,000 bond without a 10 percent provision.

More:Fremont man arrested for Ottawa County crime spree

Steven R. Rider Jr.

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