Man found shot, killed in apartment

A 25-year-old Trotwood man was found dead early Wednesday morning from a gunshot wound.

Edward E. Hines III died on Culzean Drive, according to the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office.

In a three-minute call to 911, a caller who says he is the victim’s brother repeatedly tells the dispatcher his brother is dead after a shooting.

“I can’t even talk right now”, the caller says while another individual is screaming and crying in the background.

The caller also tells the 911 dispatcher the victim was tied up. Trotwood police declined to confirm that information.

Police responded to the Woodland Hills Apartments around 12:40 a.m. after family and friends, who said they hadn’t heard from the victim in 24 hours, found the man dead.

“While checking on him, they found the door unlocked and the victim lying on the floor deceased,” said Capt. Dan Heath of Trotwood Police.

No arrests have been made.

Police took to social media Wednesday to warn of a growing trend: thieves stealing checks and money orders out of rent drop boxes at local apartment complexes.

Thieves are able to “wash” the paper payments to remove the apartment community’s name, which allows them to use the funds for other purposes, Beavercreek police said on its Facebook page. The usual way thieves steal the payment usually involves some sort of wire with sticky substance placed at the end, police said.

To keep payments safe, Beavercreek police suggest either delivering rent payments by hand during regular business hours or to set up electronic payments, if available. Residents are urged to be vigilant and to report suspicious activity at payment drop boxes by calling 937-426-1225. a report of a disorderly subject. The tow truck driver told police that the owner of a GMC Yukon, which was already on the tow truck, got inside the vehicle and tried to drive off, the report said.

In the process, the driver damaged the SUV, and the rear of the car parked in front of the SUV, according to the report. There were visible scuff marks on both vehicles.

Police said they were unable to locate the owners of the Yukon or the parked vehicle.