PRESS RELEASE

October 7, 2003

The Elyria Police Department is continuing the investigation of the June break-in of the Elyria Police Department Special Response Team (SRT) van and the theft of police equipment. Thus far, the investigation has led to the arrest of three suspects and the recovery of missing equipment.

Arrested are:

James Garber, age 21, of 4625 Edgewater Dr, Sheffield

Lake OH. He has been charged with Receiving Stolen

Property a Felony of the fifth degree.

Alex Welky, age 20, of 2411 Abbe Rd, Sheffield Lake OH.

He has been charged with Receiving Stolen Property a

Felony of the fifth degree.

Abdur Khalil, age 28, of 2807 North West River Rd,

Elyria OH. He has been charged with Receiving Stolen

Property, a Felony of the fifth degree.

The equipment recovered is described as:

(1) gas mask

(2) CS teargas 37 mm rounds

(3) T-10 Oleo Capsicum Crowd Control Device

(1) T-16 Oleo Capsicum Crowd Control Device (used)

(2) CS teargas continuous discharge rounds

(8) T-16 Oleo Capsicum Crowd Control Devices

(2) Tear gas canister launchers

Mr Garber was stopped for a traffic violation by a Sheffield Lake Police Officer. The alert officer observed a gas mask in the vehicle Garber was driving and became suspect. The officer believed the gas mask may have been equipment taken from the Elyria Police SRT van. The Elyria Police Department was notified and this investigation has revealed that the above named suspects were in possession of the above listed materials. The facts surrounding the theft and how these suspects came to possess these items is still under investigation.

Lt A.D. Eichenlaub

Elyria Police Department