Ohio
Forsyth Co. men arrested in Ohio after a spree of jewelry store robberies
The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, with the help of the Columbus Police Department and other Ohio officials arrested three men recently who robbed a jewelry store in Forsyth and Ohio.
On November 17, 2023, FCSO deputies responded to a business alarm at Simon D. Jewelers in Suwanee.
When they arrived, deputies found a back door pried open, several display cases smashed, and jewelry stolen. Estimated losses were approximately $300,000 or more, deputies learned during their investigation.
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Officials later identified three men as suspects in the robbery; Higuera Reyes-Flores, Rafael Hernandez and Pedro Garcia. Over the course of the investigation, FCSO officials learned the three men were responsible for a total of 22 burglaries nationwide.
FCSO deputies followed leads on the suspects that led them to Columbus, Ohio where the men were reportedly casing a Zanesville, Ohio jewelry store.
The three men attempted to rob the Zanesville jewelry store and managed to force the rear door to the business open and began rounding up jewelry.
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When they tried to leave the store, the Columbus Police Department, FBI Columbus, Zanesville Police Department, and Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office were awaiting the men as they exited the store.
The three men were arrested without incident.
“Yet again, felons stupidly thought Forsyth was a place to commit crimes. Hope they enjoyed their months of freedom. Because of great police work by FCSO detectives, they now get to enjoy trials and jails in multiple states. Don’t worry, we’ll leave the light on for you at Hotel Freeman,” Sheriff Freeman said.
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Ohio
NECIC to host community visioning session for Mansfield’s north end in partnership with Heritage Ohio
MANSFIELD — The North End Community Improvement Collaborative, Inc. (NECIC) will host a Community Visioning Session in partnership with Heritage Ohio, Inc. on Tuesday, July 28 at 6 p.m. at the United Steelworkers Hall, located at 376 West Longview Avenue in Mansfield.
The public is invited to attend and share input on the future of Mansfield’s North End, with a focus on strengthening neighborhood revitalization efforts and identifying opportunities for continued growth and investment.
The session is part of an upcoming visit from Heritage Ohio’s Downtown Assessment Resource Team, also known as D.A.R.T. The visit is designed to help communities explore next steps for revitalization and introduce the key building blocks of a successful long term revitalization effort: organization, promotion, design, and economic vitality.
NECIC reached out to Heritage Ohio as part of its ongoing work to support revitalization in the North End, especially near the corner of Springmill Street and Bowman Street, where NECIC has been focusing recent revitalization efforts.
Since joining the organization in early 2025, NECIC President & CEO Matthew Benko- Scruggs has placed a strong focus on revitalization near the corner of Springmill Street and Bowman Street.
This work has included the organization’s move back into the neighborhood, continued investment in the area, and community centered efforts such as the Springmill Spring Cleanup event.
During the Community Visioning Session, residents, business owners, stakeholders, and other community members will have the opportunity to learn more about Heritage Ohio, the revitalization process, and ways they can help shape the future of the North End.
“We want this process to be rooted in the voices of the people who live, work, and invest in the North End,” said Benko-Scruggs. “This session is an opportunity for the community to share ideas and help guide what revitalization can look like in our neighborhood.”
Heritage Ohio, Inc. is a statewide nonprofit organization that supports the development, redevelopment, and improvement of downtowns and neighborhood districts throughout Ohio through technical assistance, training, networking, and advocacy.
Community members are encouraged to attend and take part in the conversation.
For more information, contact Director of Community Organizing Emily Schwan at 419-
522-1611, ext. 109 or Emily@necic-ohio.org.
A grand jury in Franklin County, Ohio, indicted nine people suspected of being involved in a human trafficking ring, officials said.
Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson said in a news release on Monday that the nine people were indicted on a combined 42 felony charges in connection with the human trafficking investigation. Marcus Gant, Magon Smith, Raymond Valentine, Aimee Fabin, John W. Gibson II, Malik Jackson, Kayla Wheeler, Jeremy Lindsey, and Mackenzie Fitzpatrick face a variety of charges, including engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity. All nine are in custody.
The news release said they are accused of using narcotics to coerce women into commercial sex work at the Econo Lodge on North Wilson Road. The suspects then laundered money through Valentine Floral on Eakin Road, officials said. The alleged crimes took place between April 2025 and January 2026.
Some of those charged face trafficking in persons, compelling prostitution and promoting prostitution charges. Of the nine, Gant faces the most charges. The 37-year-old from Columbus faces 11 different counts related to the human trafficking investigation.
The Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force led that investigation, the news release added.
According to Monday’s news release, the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office has taken previous legal action against the Econo Lodge. Officials said a lawsuit was filed earlier this year against the owner of a hotel, who was accused of “neglecting to address repeated drug and violent activity on the property.” A settlement was reached.
People can report human trafficking in Ohio by calling 844-END-OHHT, texting “ENDOHHT” to 847411, downloading the END OHHT app or submitting information online.
Matt Hardigree
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