Monroe Township, Clermont County- Sheriff A. J. Rodenberg reported that on February 20, 2011, Clermont County Patrol Deputies received reports for nine offenses involving thefts from vehicles totaling several hundred dollars in Monroe Township, a southern area of Clermont County.
The thefts were from Cedar Trail, Clermontville Laurel, Grand Oak Ridge, and Fox Tail Chase. Rodenberg said “a stolen credit card was used at Eastgate Wal-Mart Store and investigators were able to obtain a clear video of a suspect and vehicle. Investigators located the suspect vehicle while on routine patrol and Christopher Saunders was identified as the person using the stolen credit card. As the investigation progressed Rick Whitford, a second suspect, was identified, and as a result several hundred dollars of property was recovered.”
On April 6, 2011, the case was presented to the Clermont County Grand Jury and nine count indictments were returned against Saunders and Whitford. Both were indicted for five counts of Theft (felonies of the 3rd degree), three counts of Theft (misdemeanors of the 1st degree), and Criminal Damaging (Misdemeanor 1st degree).
Chief Deputy Ricks Combs has verified and confirmed that Christopher Saunders who was involved in a fatal automobile crash near Bethel, Ohio in the early morning hours of Thursday, April 7, 2011, was the same subject who was indicted. That crash is under investigation by the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Christopher Saunders M/W 31 (deceased)
3420 SR 132 #3
Amelia, OH 45102
Rick Whitford M/W 32
1736 Bainum Rd.
New Richmond, OH 45157
Sheriff A.J. Rodenberg, Jr.