Leaf Thursday, December 12, 2024 Vol. 30 No. 50 • Chardon, Ohio www.geaugamapleleaf.com $1.25
Scams Cost Local Businesses Thousands By Allison Wilson wilson@karlovecmedia.com
Recent scams run by two groups have cost local building supply companies thousands of dollars, according to the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office. “We suspect one group is in the area of Gambia and the other is a Dominican group. Both groups
have associates in the (United States) that are assisting them with receiving and distribution of the stolen goods,” Detective Steve Deardowski said in an email Dec. 6. Chardon business VanBoxel Building Supply has been hit for approximately $34,000, while Middlefield businesses Troymill Wood Products and Hardwood Lumber have been hit for approximately
$30,000 and $15,000, respectively. “It definitely sucks for us, being a smaller, local business taking that big of a hit,” said VanBoxel Operations Manager Kyle Van Boxel in a Nov. 25 interview. While there are similarities, the scams differ in several fundamental ways, according to the sheriff’s office. “The group out of Gambia are using identities of legitimate busi-
nesses, just changing the contact numbers and setting up Net-30 trade accounts. They will then order material utilizing that account. They also have fraudulent accounts set up with shipping companies, which then deliver the material,” Deardowski said. “The group we suspect out of the Dominican Republic is also utilizing fraudulent See Scam • Page 6
Anonymous Donation Pays Off Men’s Shelter in Chardon page 4
K. Delisio
Russell Officials Struggle to Pick Rambo Replacement
R. Delisio
Grand Jury Indicts Chester Brothers in Aggravated Robbery
page 6
Prosecutor’s Office Seeks Security Upgrades page 7
Overlook Cemetery Pillars To Get Needed Facelift
By Cassandra Shofar cassandra@karlovecmedia.com Two Chester Township brothers were recently charged with aggravated robbery, kidnapping, aggravated menacing, assault and — for one of them — discharging a firearm tied to a car-jacking and assault incident Oct. 22 at Mayfield Church in Chester. A Geauga County grand jury handed down the indictment against Ronald Delisio, 42, and Kevin Delisio, 39, Dec. 9. Both men were charged with two counts of aggravated robbery, a first-degree felony — each with firearm specifications — and one count of kidnapping, also a first-degree felony, according to the indictment. The aggravated menacing and assault charges are first-degree misdemeanors, while the discharge of See Delisio • Page 6
page 9 ROSE NEMUNAITIS/KMG
Hikers enjoy the new Tulip Trail at Geauga Park District’s The West Woods in Russell Township.
New Tulip Trail Expansion Welcomes Winter Visitors By Rose Nemunaitis editor@karlovecmedia.com Equestrians and hikers have a new reason to celebrate this winter season with a trail ready to explore at Geauga Park District’s The West Woods in Russell Township. Through a grant from Founda-
tion for Geauga Park’s Bridle Trail Fund, GPD completed construction on a new 1.2-mile Tulip Trail (loop) on the Gallo property adjacent to The West Woods. “This latest project is a proud milestone in supporting outdoor recreation and local conservation, enabling more residents to enjoy and explore our scenic bridle trail
network,” FGP Executive Director Christine Davidson said. FGP is a nonprofit, charitable foundation formed to provide funding mechanisms that create opportunities for nature conservation, education, recreation and relaxation for all parks and greenspace initiatives in Geauga County. See Trail • Page 4
Sports page 10
Obituaries pages 11
Opinion page 12
Sheriff’s Sales & Legal Notices page 14
Classifieds page 14 Single Edition $1.25