On 01.18.10 The Marion County Sheriff’s Office investigated a complaint of several storage units and two enclosed trailers that had been broken into in the northern portion of Marion Township. Through the investigation the deputies recovered evidence at the scene which helped lead them to two subjects they were aware of from a prior investigation.

On 01.19.10 deputies and detectives of The Marion County Sheriff’s Office interviewed two subjects who are believed to have committed the breaking and enterings. The deputies and detectives searched a residence in the City of Marion and recovered evidence and stolen property.

The two subjects were arrested and taken to the Multi County Correctional Center for sixteen counts of breaking and entering each, a fifth degree felony. Arrested was Alan M. Madison, 21 years of age and John A. Pheasant, 23 years of age, both of 272 East Mark Street Marion, Ohio. Madison is currently out on bond for two counts of third degree felony burglary after being arrested on 01.07.10 by the sheriff’s office for two burglaries which occurred on 01.01.10 at 804 Harvey Drive in Marion Township and 557 S. Vine Street in the City of Marion. Marion City Police assisted with the investigation at 557 S. Vine Street.

In these two burglaries two juveniles were also arrested for two counts of burglary each after being located in the area of the 804 Harvey Drive burglary. In these incidents evidence recovered and information gathered led detectives from the sheriff’s office to Madison who was arrested on the 7^th for those crimes committed with the two juveniles.

Sheriff Tim Bailey urges residents to report any suspicious activity in their neighborhood they may be aware of or they may witness. If a vehicle or person you are not familiar with in your neighborhood is acting suspicious there may be a crime about to be committed or in progress and law enforcement should be contacted so it can be investigated. Anyone wishing to report information regarding a crime that has already occurred they can contact the Crime Tips Line at 740.375.TIPS (8477) callers can remain anonymous.

The best advice for driving in bad winter weather is not to drive at all, if you can avoid it.

Don't go out until the snow plows and sanding trucks have had a chance to do their work, and allow yourself extra time to reach your destination.

If you must drive in snowy conditions, make sure your car is prepared, and that you know how to handle road conditions.

Driving safely on icy roads

1. Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.
2. Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.
3. Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.
4. Keep your lights and windshield clean.
5. Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.
6. Don't use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads.
7. Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.
8. Don't pass snow plows and sanding trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and you're likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind.
9. Don't assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on winter roads.

If your rear wheels skid...

1. Take your foot off the accelerator.
2. Steer in the direction you want the front wheels to go. If your rear wheels are sliding left, steer left. If they're sliding right, steer right.
3. If your rear wheels start sliding the other way as you recover, ease the steering wheel toward that side. You might have to steer left and right a few times to get your vehicle completely under control.
4. If you have standard brakes, pump them gently.
5. If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS), do not pump the brakes. Apply steady pressure to the brakes. You will feel the brakes pulse — this is normal.

If your front wheels skid...

1. Take your foot off the gas and shift to neutral, but don't try to steer immediately.
2. As the wheels skid sideways, they will slow the vehicle and traction will return. As it does, steer in the direction you want to go. Then put the transmission in "drive" or release the clutch, and accelerate gently.

If you get stuck...

1. Do not spin your wheels. This will only dig you in deeper.
2. Turn your wheels from side to side a few times to push snow out of the way.
3. Use a light touch on the gas, to ease your car out.
4. Use a shovel to clear snow away from the wheels and the underside of the car.
5. Pour sand, kitty litter, gravel or salt in the path of the wheels, to help get traction.
6. Try rocking the vehicle. (Check your owner's manual first — it can damage the transmission on some vehicles.) Shift from forward to reverse, and back again. Each time you're in gear, give a light touch on the gas until the vehicle gets going.
   

Sources: The Weather Channel.com