Crime Log: Argument Between Roommates Turns Physical at Level 27

BONNIE MEIBERS

Miami University journalism student

Two roommates got in brawl at an off-campus apartment in what police called an unusual fight, according to an Oxford police report.

Oxford police responded to a call at 5:30 a.m. on Oct. 29 about an argument that turned physical at the Level 27 Apartments.

Level 27 residents Anna Leugers, a Miami University freshman, and Haley Rutherford, a Miami junior, were at a party when Rutherford became upset after Leugers said: “It's funny that you do the most squats but you still have the smallest butt out of all of us,” according to an Oxford police report.

Then Leugers decided she wanted to go home and she did, according to the report.

Leugers told police she was in bed when Rutherford broke down her bedroom door and jumped on top of her and beat her around the face after the party. According to the police report, Leugers said another roommate pulled Rutherford from on top of her.

Leugers ran from her bedroom but was cornered in the bathroom by Rutherford who continued to argue with her, according to the police report.

OPD officers Julia Huff and Anthony Gilbert talked to Leugers and then talked with Rutherford who gave a different version of events. Rutherford told police that Leugers ran into the apartment and locked the door knowing that none of the other roommates had a key. She didn’t let Rutherford and the others in because she was mad.

According to the police report, Rutherford said: “Like I'll admit, hand to God, I hit her; I assaulted her. I take the blame for that,” while raising her right hand.

Fening said that a roommate assault is unusual.

“Usually a person picks a fight with a stranger when they’re intoxicated, but it is rare that friends would do that,” Fening said.

Huff cited Rutherford with misdemeanor assault, meaning she had to appear in Area 1 Common Pleas Court. Fening said that she could go to court within the next two weeks.

Since the victim is a witness, she is a key part of the case. But come court time, Fening said that there is no telling if she will be cooperate. Fening said if Leugers is uncooperative, charges will be dropped.

“There are so many variables, it will be interesting,” Fening said.

Keyed car in Walmart parking lot, a father-son affair

Police cited a man and his son in connection with a car being keyed in the Oxford Walmart parking lot.

Oxford Police department responded to the Walmart parking lot on a report of vehicle vandalism on Oct. 26.

Andrew Kanaly, of Oxford, told police his car was keyed on both the driver and passenger’s side.

Kanaly said that he pulled into the parking lot the wrong way in front of the grocery entrance and then pulled into a spot before someone driving a green Toyota Prius. The driver of the Prius sat in his car staring at Kanaly for a few seconds before driving away, Kanaly told Oxford police.

As a way to validate Kanaly's account, Peggy Dare, a loss prevention officer of the Walmart, pulled video of the parking lot. Oxford police officer Jacob Hayes observed what Kanaly described, according to the police report.

Kanaly’s car pulled into a parking spot in front of the Prius. The Prius sat there for a few seconds before driving away and parking. A man got out of the Prius and walked toward Walmart. He walked between the cars to Kanaly’s car along the driver side and then entered Walmart. A few minutes later, the man exited Walmart and walked around Kanaly’s car on the passenger side.

Dare recognized the man as the father of a man she knew from previous encounters.

Hayes checked OPD’s database and identified the man who was seen walking near Kanaly’s car as David McNamara Jr.

Police arrested McNamara, 49, of Oxford, and cited him with criminal damaging. At this same time, his son - of the same name - was arrested on charges tied to an outstanding warrant, said Fening.

“It is so rare to catch someone keying a car,” Fening said. “All the stars aligned on this one, the victim had an inkling of who could have done it. A lot of times people don’t even notice until much later.”

Man cited for possession of drug instrument

Police cited a man on charges of possessing drug abuse instruments and obstructing official business at the Parkview Arms Apartments on Sunday, Oct. 29.

Oxford police said they found a hypodermic syringe on Phillip C. Zinc, who initially gave officers a false name when first questioned, according to an Oxford police report.

While patrolling the Parkview Arms Apartments, Oxford officer Robert Lidner saw someone who he believed to be pushing a stolen bike. He was walking with four or five other men, according to an Oxford police report.

Lidner circled the parking lot and when he came back to where the men were, a different man was pushing the bike alone.

He told the officer the bike belonged to a friend. When pressed further about the bike, Zinc told Lidner the first name of the owner of the bike but not a last name, according to the police report.

Oxford Police Sgt. Varley arrived and officers told the man he was being detained, according to the police report. They patted him down and found hypodermic syringe in his pocket. The officers placed the man in handcuffs and he then admitted he had given Lidner a false name.

Officers determined the bike was not stolen, but did cite Philip C. Zink with the drug instrument charge.

-- The assault occurred at Level 27 Apartments. Lt. Fening said that OPD responds to an increasing amount of calls there. Photo by Bonnie Meibers.

Lt. Lara Fening-- 513-524-5240