Cannon thief admits guilt; awaits sentencing

10/22/2004

An East Toledo man accused of stealing a cannon from Fort Meigs State Memorial Park in April pleaded guilty to grand theft yesterday in Wood County Common Pleas Court.

William Jarzynski, 50, could face six to 18 months in jail for the crime.

Judge Alan Mayberry set sentencing for Dec. 6.

Perrysburg police said Jarzynski, who owns a body shop, took the cannon and its wooden carriage from the grounds of Fort Meigs, used his tools to chop up the cannon, and then threw pieces of it into the Maumee River.

The field artillery cannon was a replica of a weapon used during the War of 1812.

The cannon and its wooden carriage were valued at about $37,000.