28 August 2012. Perp in Olmsted Falls Bell Heist Nicked by Coppers… oca.org Incomplete as per Usual

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According to the Olmsted Township Police Department, David B Diamond, 34, of Olmsted Township, admitted stealing five brass bells from St Innocent Orthodox Church, 6526 Usher Road, and will face charges. The police learned of the theft at approximately 19.30 EDT 26 August. The church choir director came back to the church that night, noticed them missing, and called police. According to Olmsted Township Police Chief John Minek, at 20.00 EDT 27 August, they received a call from D&B Auto Wrecking in Columbia Station OH that they possibly had the stolen bells. Officers met with D&B owner Don Bosak, who said that Diamond brought him the brass bells to scrap for money. Bosak became suspicious that they were stolen; he asked Diamond for identification before releasing payment. Bosak paid him 380.80 USD (12,200 Roubles. 303 Euros. 241 UK Pounds).

After Diamond left, Bosak was ready to call the Lorain County Sheriff’s Department, but he heard about the theft of the bells from St Innocent’s, so, he called the Olmsted Township PD, who recovered the bells. Officers went to Diamond’s home to question him. While driving to the home, they saw him driving down Sharp Road and stopped his vehicle. The cops took Diamond to the station for questioning, and he admitted to the felony theft. According to St Innocent’s pastor, Rev Michael Butler, the bells are from Russia, with a value of 5,500 USD (176,000 Roubles. 4,375 Euros. 3,475 UK Pounds). They were a gift from a parishioner, in memory of her husband. Butler said, “We’re glad to have the bells back. We thank everyone for their prayers for their return”. He also noted that it’d take about three weeks to get the bells mounted onto another platform, but this time, the platform will be movable, to allow it to taken inside the church building.

28 August 2012

Mark Holan

Sun News

http://www.cleveland.com/olmsted/index.ssf/2012/08/olmsted_township_man_admits_to.html

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Ohio Church Reports Valuable Brass Bells Stolen

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Someone has stolen five large brass bells worth thousands of dollars from in front of a Russian Orthodox church in northeastern Ohio. The Plain Dealer reported that the set of bells was taken sometime after Sunday afternoon services from in front of St Innocent Orthodox Church in the Cleveland suburb of Olmsted Falls. The church’s priest, Rev Michael Butler, said the bells were imported from Russia at a cost of about 5,500 USD (175,000 Roubles. 4,400 Euros. 3,500 UK Pounds) six years ago. They weigh 60 to 70 pounds each. They were a gift to the church, donated in memory of a parishioner’s husband. Butler said they were hanging from a wooden frame that sat on the ground, and the frame had been cut. The church has no security cameras.

27 August 2012

Akron (OH) Beacon Journal

http://www.ohio.com/news/break-news/ohio-church-reports-valuable-brass-bells-stolen-1.329822

This Just In Department:

A Cabinet member sent me this:

The Midwest Diocese website has mention of the stolen bells, at least.

http://www.midwestdiocese.org/news_120827_1.html

There it is… Lil’ Mizz Ginny’s still MIA, though… don’t hold your breath waiting for her to show up. It’s not only undignified, it’s funny as all hell to everyone about you.

BMD