A registered Wayne County sex offender is accused of pressuring a 16-year-old boy to commit multiple crimes in Orrville.
Lawrence Procario, 37, was arrested for breaking and entering and theft. The teen was also taken into custody and was being held in a juvenile detention center. Formal charges are pending, investigators said
According to Captain Doug Hunter, Procario ordered the teen to smash a pickup truck through Orrville Cycling and Fitness on Tuesday night.
"The young man was threatened with physical violence by this person," Hunter said.
Two bicycles and other items were stolen and the damage was estimated at $21,000.
John Krabill, who lives across the street from the shop, heard a tremendous crash around 10:45 p.m.
Since Krabill is legally blind, he focused on what he heard.
"I heard a truck tear-- or what sounded like a truck-- tear out of the driveway. I kind of realized somebody has smashed into the front of the shop," Krabill said. "I could tell the vehicle sped out and headed west."
Deputies said Krabill's information provided an important first clue in the investigation.
The deputies followed tire tracks and received other leads. The pickup was discovered not far away abandoned and officers determined the vehicle was owned by the teen's father.
The boy was found at his home, confessed to the smash and grab, and gave up information on Procario. Hunter said Procario was picked up at his home and was wearing socks and slippers that he had told the boy to steal.
The teen also told deputies that Procario is a neighbor who ordered him to shoplift from multiple stores in Orrville.
Surveillance video inside New Orr Not, a resale clothing store, captured Procario distracting the clerk while the teen allegedly stole a pair of tennis shoes, according to Kristine Goodard, the owner of the shop.
Goodard said the boy seemed very nervous and kept looking at her and a camera in the store.
"He never said a word. The other man did all the talking. The younger kid just looked at me with fear," Goodard said.
Hunter stressed the boy should have known right from wrong, but also believed this was a case of a juvenile being manipulated by "a career criminal."
"It's troubling that a convicted felon, a registered sex offender, is influencing this young man in such a way to get him involved in serious crimes."
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