Four suspects were indicted in a string of business break-ins on Cleveland’s west side that left more than a dozen businesses with thousands of dollars in damages.
Eighteen businesses are included in the 19-page indictment filed Friday, which names Anthony Palmentera, Amanda Rivera, Jose Rivera and Eric Newton as suspects.
According to court documents, the robberies took place began on Sept. 17 and ended Oct. 28 when the group was arrested during a traffic stop.
The indictment includes 50 counts of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, breaking and entering, grand theft, vandalism, safe cracking, receiving stolen property, possessing criminal tools and having weapons under disability.
According to several of the business owners who were robbed, the suspects used power tools to break through the exterior walls and crawled on the ground to avoid motion detectors.
“Oh they knew what they were doing,” explained Rooms Today Outlet owner Andy Weiss, whose store was broken into on Oct. 24 “They had been here somewhere along the way as a customer.”
Weiss said about $700 worth of money and items were taken, but the the game store nearby was the real target.
Steve Kisiel, who owns It’s About Games, said he lost nearly $4,000 in items.
“I’m glad the police were able to find these people and stop it before it got worse,” Kisiel told newsnet5.com. “Because if they don’t get caught its just going to get worse and worse.”
Several other businesses, including a clothing store, dental office, grocery store, discount, store, pizza shop and UHaul center were also robbed or vandalized.
The suspects are set to be arraigned on April 28.
