The Observation Deck

On Sunday March 23rd, 2008, the Lakewood Police Department arrested Russell D Watkins, 5/26/1976, of 1370 W 93rd, Cleveland, on a charge of Felony Breaking and Entering. Watkins was arrested by Investigator Brian Berardi of the Lakewood Police Department who is assigned to the U.S. Marshals Violent Fugitive Task Force.

Over the past several months the Lakewood Police Department has investigated almost two dozen reports of vacant homes that have been broken into and had their copper pipes ripped out. On February 5th, 2008 officers investigated a report from 13447 Merl Avenue that the home had been broken into and the copper pipe stolen. A window had been broken to gain entry and Investigator Fioritto located blood at the scene as evidence. The blood was collected and sent to the Cuyahoga County Coroners Office for typing and DNA analysis. The results were then submitted to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification for comparison with entries in the CODIS database. BCI matched the analysis by the Coroner to Russell Watkins who had his DNA profile entered into the database due to past arrests.

Upon arrest Watkins has admitted to this crime and three others. Watkins has a criminal history of breaking into vacant structures and stealing the copper pipes. He is a suspect in similar crimes in other communities and the investigation is continuing.

According to Chief Timothy J. Malley, “ The arrest of Russell Watkins was the result of diligent work and cooperation amongst many agencies, the Lakewood Police Department, the Cleveland Police Department, the US Marshals Violent Fugitive Task Force, the Cuyahoga County Coroner, and the Ohio BCI. Hopefully the arrest of Watkins will serve as a deterrent to others that want to diminish the safety of our neighborhoods. Our neighborhoods have enough of a challenge maintaining a viable housing stock without dealing with these predators from the outside.â€￾

With all due respect for the men and women who wear a badge, this case certainly deserves the following headline:

"COPS CRACK COPPER CASTING CAPER!"

deleted

What's the fine or sentence for something like this? Since this is a growing concern and given that the Lakewood PD is very effective and vigilant, I expect that more may be arrested. So to draw this to the logical conclusion and tie in the other recent thread, now that he's arrested does he serves time locally, or the city pays to store him elsewhere for his term, or does he pay a penalty and go on probation?

That is very good news. I may not have to boobytrap vacant home after all. (yes I was looking for an excuse to use the word boobytrap!! )

Just one question. Why is the Violent Fugitive Task Force involved in investigating copper pipe theft? Not that I am complaining more power to whoever can nab the evil dooers. Just wondering

The LPD truly does deserve credit for this apprehension. There was alot of discussion, both online and at Council meetings about making a special effort to apprehend copper thieves. We knew this particular effort was ongoing, but obviously couldn't comment on it at the time.

I certainly don't expect all copper thefts to cease, but I think an important message has been sent by this arrest.

FYI, the U.S. Marshal's Task Force, which Lakewood now participates in, assists in the apprehension of wanted persons across jurisdictions.

Also, the crime is a felony, so the perpetrator is likely to be housed at the County jail. If convicted, his sentence would depend on any previous criminal record and the discretion of the sentencing judge.

We will continue to participate in the case at all stages of the process.

Ed

This with the other news from the police on our front page of the arrest in what is now being described as a murder, is great news.

The Lakewood Police, yourself and all involved should be applauded for walking the talk.

We cannot tolerate crime.

Thanks.


.

That is really good news. Did they find out who he was selling it to also?

Justine, They may not want to do anything with the dealer, because they may be able to "sway" (read: avoid prosecution) the dealer into becoming a part of the investigation on other parties who may be also stealing the copper pipes.