Police: Suspected father-daughter duo stole more than $75K in merchandise in Colerain Township
Father and daughter suspects in crimes
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Police display recovered stolen items linked to a crime spree in Colerain Twp.
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Posted: 02/08/2013
CINCINNATI - Investigators held a press conference Friday afternoon at the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office where new details concerning a series of robberies linked to a suspected father-daughter duo were revealed.
Robert Cunningham and his daughter Joshalyn Rutherford, both of Woodlawn, were arrested Tuesday in Colerain Township in connection with a multi-state crime spree that spanned over the past three years.
Investigators said footprints in the snow helped police track down the pair in multiple burglary cases in and around Colerain Township.
"We've been investigating for quite a number of years and we've had several leads that we've always followed up on but we've always seemed to come up a little short," said Sgt. Bill Rarrick of the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office.
Colerain Township police believe the suspects are also responsible for several other burglaries in both Hamilton and Butler counties, but charges in those cases have not yet been filed.
During the press conference Friday, officials said the pair reportedly used BB guns to gain entry into a majority of the homes and stole as much as $75,000 in merchandise over the years. Since 2009, the suspects allegedly burglarized more than 100 homes.
Sgt. Jeff Sprague of the Fairfield Police Department said some of the recovered items included jewelry, tires, motorcycles, jet skis, guns, lawn equipment, cellphones and other electronics. Officials said they will contact victims to identify their stolen properties.
Four quad runners were also found in Rutherford's backyard in Woodlawn, according to police.
Investigators said it is not clear how the suspects physically removed the items from the victims' houses at this time, but have identified a red Chevrolet Tahoe as the getaway vehicle used in a majority of the crimes.
Police believe a third suspect drove the Tahoe, while Cunningham and Rutherford committed the alleged robberies.
A possible third suspect was identified, but no charges have been filed at this time, according to officials. That person's name has not been released by authorities.
"I think it's a relief for the detectives behind me and that I've discussed this with over the last several years as we've all tried to solve this. Relief for our road patrol officers who were trying to apprehend them. Relief for victims. It's hard to go to a residence and recognize the method by which these people operated and know that they were there and unfortunately you walk away with another victim and no real answers as to who did it," said Sgt. Rarrick.
Cunningham and Rutherford were charged with six counts of attempted burglary and are being held at the Hamilton County Justice Center.
Anyone with information on these robberies is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (513) 352-3040.
9 On Your Side reporter Jay Warren contributed to this report.
Copyright 2013 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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