Kettering shooting probe finds gang
After death of Fairmont student, police find alleged drug ring.
KETTERING — A six-month investigation by Kettering Police Department led to six people in a local “gang” being arrested in what Police Chief Chip Protsman said was a possible drug trafficking ring.
Protsman said during a press conference Wednesday that Miles Heizer — the driver of the suspect vehicle in the shooting death of Fairmont High School student Ronnie Bowers — and five oth
ers were a part of a local group that called themselves the GLO gang. They were arrested March 10 on a variety of charges.
The group is comprised mainly of teenagers and young adults, according to Protsman. Citing the ongoing investigation, he would
not say how many people police suspect are part of the gang. “Although they’re calling themselves a gang, there are only a few that we’ve had trouble with to this point,” Protsman said.
Heizer, 19, was one of four people taken into custody after Bowers was killed. Heizer was released without being charged. Protsman said Wednesday, charges for Heizer in the homicide are still being reviewed. He did not tie any of those arrested this month to Bowers’ death.
The GLO gang appeared on the city’s radar after the Sept 4. shooting death of Bowers, 16. The department wanted to look into anyone involved with the incident to try to find others related in criminal activity.
“This is a different way of doing investigations and this is the way Kettering police department will be conducting business from now on,” Protsman said. “We’re not only going to identify who those individuals are, we’re going to identify who associates with them — family and friends — and we’re going to determine if you’re involved in criminal activity as well.”
Anthony Clemmons and Carolyn Williams — alleged leaders of the group — were arrested after a search warrant served at their Miamisburg home produced drugs, including illegal prescription drugs and marijuana. Money, weapons and other evidence suggesting drug trafficking, were found during the search, Protsman said.
Clemmons, 42, was charged with felony drug possession. Williams, 38, was charged with felony drug possession, permitting drug abuse and child endanger- ment. They were released on bail.
Heizer, who is awaiting sentencing for a 2016 base- ball bat attack, also faces felo- nious assault charges stem- ming from a March 7 incident on Oakdale Avenue. Heizer allegedly attacked a male victim while he slept, then robbed him. Rondle Swango, 19, and Tyler Lehmkuhle, 18, were arrested in connection with the same robbery. Tessa Fuller, 19, was charged with obstructing justice. All four are being held in the Montgomery County Jail pending a preliminary hearing Friday.
Protsman said Kettering doesn’t have a gang problem. The group is not widespread, he said.
Cedarville University Asso- ciate Professor Patrick Oli- ver, said gangs in a city like Kettering are uncommon, but not unheard of.
“It depends on how preva- lent gangs are in that community,” Oliver said. “You tend to see them more in major and mid-major cities across America. Of course not exclusively in those towns — you can have gangs in any community.”
Of the six people arrested in connection to the GLO gang, four were under the age of 20. Oliver, who is also a former Cleveland Chief of Police, said teens join gangs around age 15, which increases their chances of committing more serious crimes the older they get.
Data compiled by the department shows violent crimes in 2017 have decreased, while arrests are on the rise from the same time frame in 2016. This time last year, 171 vio
lent offenses were committed with 42 arrests made. This year, 152 crimes were committed with 73 arrests.
“Kettering is as safe now as it was 10 years ago,” despite recent “high-profile” crimes, Protsman said.
Protsman urged parents who believe their kids may be involved in the GLO gang, or similar groups, to contact the police.