Electronics, frozen food stolen from councilman’s home
Sometime Wednesday night, an intruder or intruders broke into the home of Barberton Councilman Thomas “Bebe” Heitic, stealing electronic devices and food.
Heitic went public with the news on social media the night of the crime and in additional posts Thursday. In his initial post, the councilman expresses anger; in subsequent posts, he wrestles with the reason for the crime.
In a phone interview Thursday, Heitic said he returned home after work that night to find his house in disarray.
“They busted right through the front door,” the councilman said
Heitic said the locks were broken and the doorway was damaged. The door has since been barricaded.
A phone Heitic uses for council business was also stolen and was later used, presumably by the thief.
Heitic said he understands the theft of a television or phone, but he was more disturbed by other objects that were taken.
“I know people's houses get robbed all the time, but there's something scary about this one,” he said. “There was a lot of food stolen from my freezer – that's a scary thought.”
Heitic said his concern is that the thief placed such a high value on food, speculating that the robbery may have been committed out of desperation.
“The fact that [food] supplies were stolen – that's a weird sign,” he said. “I hope this isn't the way things are devolving.”
The councilman believes that continual pressures brought on by the lingering coronavirus pandemic and restrictions to combat it are creating desperate economic conditions for some people. He works in the restaurant industry, which has been disproportionately affected by measures to slow the spread of COVID-19, leading to business closures and high unemployment.
“I would feel better knowing somebody stole everything out of my house to feed their family,” he said.
According to the Akron-canton Regional Foodbank, food needs have been on the rise in Summit County since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. The organization estimates 80,830 individuals are experiencing food insecurity this year, about 15% of all county residents.
Nationally, Ohio has the 10th-highest food insecurity rate among the 50 states, according to Feeding America, a network of U.S. food banks.
A Feeding America study found that 18.1% of Ohioans experienced food insecurity this year, an increase from 13.9% in 2018.
In all, more than 2.1 million Ohio residents were affected.
Heitic said Barberton police conducted a walk-through about 11:30 p.m. on the night of the theft and returned in the morning to investigate further. He said the thief went through his closet and emptied dresser drawers during the crime.
The councilman said his two cats were traumatized by the incident, but not injured.
“Material things don't matter to me,” he said. “My biggest worry is my two cats. One was paralyzed with fear.”
Heitic said he's received support from the city's residents, with some offering to replace stolen items.