A man who was taken into custody on the night of Jan. 9 has indicated to officials that he was involved in a minimum of 20 break-ins involving vehicles in the Ohio City area. The man was apprehended near Detroit Avenue and West 83rd Street by area authorities. He reportedly made his admission while he was in police custody.
Although the man indicated his involvement in the series of vehicle incidents, he failed to provide details. As a result, authorities were unable to charge him in connection with the incidents. However, he does face charges of aggravated robbery for his activities on Jan. 9. Authorities indicate that they hope the vehicle incidents will cease, but they plan to continue their efforts to monitor the region for additional incidents.
An individual facing felony charges in a similar incident might seek legal advice before making statements to the authorities. Officials might seek clarification on any information volunteered, but an individual who is believed to be responsible for one or more incidents may want to exercise their right to have an attorney present for questioning to avoid self-incrimination. An attorney assisting in such a situation might want to review the procedures used in identifying and detaining a client to ensure that search and seizure rights, Miranda rights and other civil rights have been properly administered. In some cases, procedural errors may lead to the dismissal of charges.
In dealing with serious criminal charges, an attorney may assist in reviewing evidence and developing a defense strategy based on the unique factors of the case. The detention of a client does not automatically mean that there will be a conviction. However, an attorney may help a client facing substantial charges in the face of strong evidence by seeking less severe penalties and charges through plea negotiations.
Source: Cleveland.com, “Robbery suspect tells Cleveland police he’s behind 20-plus car break-ins in Ohio City”, Brandon Blackwell, Jan. 10, 2015