North-end sweep results in 15 arrests

7/11/2007

A dozen juveniles and three adults were arrested for crimes ranging from being disorderly to carrying knives when Toledo police swept a north-end neighborhood after residents asked for help in taking back their community.

A group of neighbors came to police's Cherry Street substation Monday with complaints of their homes being broken into regularly, street robberies, and youths failing to move when someone walked down the street.

The group told police that youths are hanging out on street corners, and that they didn't feel safe leaving their homes.

Later that day, about a dozen officers - including those on bicycles and the mounted patrol - swept Cumberland Place, Cambridge Street, and Arcadia Avenue.

They arrested youths ages 14 to 19. Three were on parole from the Ohio Department of Youth Services, Sgt. Joe Heffernan said.

He said the youths were charged with various offenses, including disorderly conduct, opening a city fire hydrant, and weapons charges for having knives.

Officers also found marijuana.

The youths were detained in the Lucas County Juvenile Detention Center. The adults were booked into the county jail, police said.