Richmond Dale, Ross County — The Ross County Grand Jury returned all 12 of their cases on Friday, August 16th, 2024, with one open for release to the public.
From testimony in the the grand jury the case – according to the Ross County Prosecutor’s Office:
On June 11th, a Sheriff’s sergeant made a house check in the 800 block of 6th Street in Richmond Dale. He knew the house was secured and was supposed to be vacant, and was familiar with the previous resident who had been evicted May 1st, 55-year-old Peter J. Schwarz.
The sergeant saw Schwarz inside his old residence, so the sergeant entered it. He couldn’t spot Schwarz with a flashlight, but commanded him to come out. Instead, the sergeant found an open window and removed screen where Schwarz had originally entered, and then escaped.
The sergeant observed a bag on the floor and miscellaneous items, as well as a laptop, and a bag with Schwarz’s name on it. But, nothing inside the house had been broken into.
The same deputy, while off-duty later that day, saw Schwarz being chased towards the railroad in Richmond Dale by a civilian who was assisting an Ohio Highway Patrol trooper. Schwarz resisted but was captured.
For indictments on fifth-degree felony breaking and entering, Schwarz could get up to one year and $2,500 in fines.
