The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Pair accused of breaking into school
Elyria police arrested a man and woman on Nov. 27 who are accused of breaking into Northwood Junior High School, according to a news release.
Randy Messer Jr., 46, of Elyria, and Michelle M. Slagle, 46, of Lorain, were arrested and charged with a single felony count of breaking and entering. Both are currently being held at the Lorain County Jail.
On Nov. 22, the Elyria Police Department received a complaint that suspects broke into Northwood Junior High School, located at 700 Gulf Road.
According to police, security footage captured a white male and white female in the area of the school during the time the break in occurred. Additional security footage showed the white male inside the school. The suspects broke a glass window located on the south side of the school to gain entry inside. Detectives reviewed the security footage and identified the suspects as Messer and Slagle.
On Nov. 27, Elyria police detectives arrested Slagle at the Lorain County Jail, and she confessed to her involvement in the Northwood School Incident.
Later on Nov. 27, detectives made contact with Messer by phone and he agreed to turn himself in to detectives at the Elyria Police Department, the release said.
Detectives interviewed Messer following his arrest and Messer confessed that he broke into Northwood School to gain access to change in the vending machines. Messer also confessed that he broke into the Elyria Roll Arena at 908 Cleveland St. and Drug Mart at 500 N. Abbe Road on Nov. 5, the release said.
According to police, Messer and Slagle are struggling with substance abuse and committed the offenses to support their drug habit. Messer admitted that he used a crowbar to pry open the vending machines inside or near these businesses to steal change located inside the machines.
Messer and Slagle will face additional charges for the Nov. 5 incidents at the completion of those investigations, the release stated.