BLANCHESTER — Blanchester Police Chief Scott Reinbolt said a reported break-in left the two victims beaten but without anything stolen. He also said there isn’t cause for undue alarm and is asking for citizens’ tips and information.
Shortly after midnight Friday, Blanchester police were called to the apartment complex at 815 E. Cherry St. There, two residents of an apartment reported they were victims of a break-in.
The men, who are roommates, reportedly said that two masked men, dressed in black, broke into the apartment through the back door, said nothing, severely beat the residents and then fled without stealing anything.
The roommates, ages 22 and 23, were transported to Clinton Memorial Hospital via ambulance.
Reinbolt said police obtained a search warrant Saturday for the apartment where the crime occurred and allegedly found numerous items used to ingest illegal narcotics as well as items used to process illegal narcotics to sell.
Officers also allegedly found numerous firearms throughout the house, including three rifles and three handguns. One of the guns allegedly had the serial number obliterated, an indication that it might be stolen, according to Reinbolt.
“The investigation into the matter is ongoing, and at this point we do not believe residents should be unduly alarmed, as we do not believe this was a random act,” Reinbolt said.
“As always, we encourage everyone to take common sense approaches to crime prevention, such as having adequate outside lighting and locking up at night,” said the police chief.
Anyone with information on this case is asked to call the department’s tip line at 937-783-4702, ext. 19.
