2 men arrested in Lima killing, 3 are sought

5/15/2008

LIMA, Ohio - Police have arrested two men in connection with an April 29 drive-by shooting that left a Lima woman dead and filed robbery charges against two others.

Wendy Westergaard, 38, was shot to death while driving west on West Market Street. A passenger in her vehicle, Durelle L. Grant, 19, of Lima, fled unharmed after the Jeep Cherokee struck a tree and rolled over, pinning her underneath.

On Tuesday, Mr. Grant was arrested for robbery.

Police Lt. Jim Baker declined to elaborate on the accusations against Mr. Grant, but said investigators believe he was the intended target of the gunfire - not Ms. Westergaard.

"There's no question he was definitely the target of the shooting," Lieutenant Baker said. "She just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Arrested on a charge of murder Tuesday was Tony D. Curtis, Jr., 20, of Lima.

Police say they believe he fired the shots at the vehicle driven by Ms. Westergaard from a passing van.

The van believed to have been used in the murder - a purple 1996 Plymouth Voyager -- was tracked to a used-car dealer in Auglaize County, Ohio.

Police said they then were able to identify the occupants of the van, including Mr. Curtis and Davarus E. Callahan, 22, of Lima, who has been charged with complicity to murder.

Lieutenant Baker said police also have issued an arrest warrant for Ronnie Eldevon Irons, 21, of Lima, charging him with robbery.

The lieutenant declined to say what Mr. Irons is accused of doing.

Police also are seeking Edward Minor III, 23, of Lima.

"We need to question him. He is a person of interest," Lieutenant Baker said, adding that police are asking for tips to find Mr. Irons and Mr. Minor.

The police were pleased to announce the arrests. Those charged are in the Allen County jail.

"We've made some good progress. We're very happy with that," the lieutenant said.