TROTWOOD POLICE SEEKING HELP IN UNSOLVED MURDERS

Double homicide now believed connected to another later in 2018.

An unsolved double homicide in April 2018 in Trotwood is now believed to be connected to another homicide in the city four months later, according to a task force with Miami Valley Crime Stoppers.

On April 18, 2018, Elmer Rucker, 23, and Antonio Collins, 25, both of Dayton, were found dead at Pinewood Gardens Apartment.

Both had multiple gunshot wounds and were found inside a blue car in the parking lot, according to investigators. Rucker was taken to Miami Valley Hospital and died from his injuries. Collins was reportedly pronounced dead at the scene.

Four months later, on Aug. 24, Charles McLemore Sr., 73, was found dead in his Northford Road apartment. McLemore died from multiple gunshot wounds, said Detective Zachariah Hastings of the Dayton Police Department and a member of the Miami Valley Crime Stoppers.

Trotwood police went to McLemore’s home after a Merchant Security officer went to check on him after McLemore hadn’t been seen or heard from for days, according to court records.

His body was found just inside the door with a blanket over it. Investigators reportedly believe he had been dead for two days before he was found.

All three deaths were ruled homicides. It is not clear what

the connection is between the deaths.

“(Trotwood police) are asking for the public’s help to identify any suspects or any leads that could help them solve those crimes,” said Hastings.

Miami Valley Crime Stoppers and Trotwood police are asking for the public’s help. Anyone with information on the deaths of Rucker, Collins or McLemore should call Trotwood Detective Matt Buddo at 937-854-7241 or Trotwood detective Natalie Wilson at 937-854-7238.

Anyone who wishes to remain anonymous can contact Miami Valley Crime Stoppers at 937-222-7867.

“Crime does not happen in a vacuum,” Hastings said. “People might think that information they have is small or doesn’t really matter. But a lot of times the smallest thing can open the investigation up.”