Bowling Green Police arrested three men at 4:43 this morning for stealing items from several vehicles in the city. The men split up when police began pursuing them – with one reportedly found hiding in a dumpster.
Arrested for theft, criminal trespassing and obstructing official business were Elijah Miller, 18, Fostoria; Xavier Gillen, 18, Findlay; and McKie Dubose, 20, Findlay.
Police were notified of the thefts when a resident in the 1500 block of East Clough Street reported seeing three men breaking into multiple vehicles. The caller was following the suspects in his vehicle.
According to the police report, the suspects split up when they saw police pursuing them.
One of the men took off toward the Starbucks on East Wooster Street. As officers got close, Miller reportedly put his hands up and got on the ground. Police searched his string backpack and pockets and found $70 in bills, $32.63 in change, a cell phone, three vape cartridges and a pink hair tie. A flashlight was found on the ground by Miller.
Miller reportedly admitted that he and his two friends were going around Bowling Green to various apartment complexes and checking cars. If the vehicles were unlocked, the men would take items from them. Miller reportedly said he went through about 11 cars himself.
One of the other men, Dubose, was located in the Hampton Inn parking lot, off Clough Street. He reportedly stopped for police and raised his hands in the air.
Dubose told police he and his friends had walked to Bowling Green from Cygnet. One of his friends went into the first car, and they started from there. Dubose said he entered only one unlocked car, and took a vape and a pair of earbuds in a white case.
Dubose reportedly had a black winter hat on, and a flashlight in his pocket. When searching his backpack and pockets, police reportedly found $343.32 in loose cash, a female`s tan Michael Kors wallet with $2.49 in change, three vapes, two sets of earbuds in white cases, black Power Beats earbuds, and a black Apple iPhone.
The last suspect, Gillen, was found when an officer walked behind Buffalo Wild Wings, and heard something moving inside the dumpster. As the officer approached, Gillen reportedly stuck his head out of the dumpster.
Police searched the dumpster and found a backpack that belonged to Gillen. Inside was an open bottle of Tito’s Vodka, several flashlights, a large amount of loose cash and change, gloves and two black hats, numerous vape pens, two knives, a pair of headphones, a stun gun, and numerous pieces of clothing.
Gillen reportedly admitted to entering several unlocked cars and removing items.
The three men were taken to Wood County Jail.
