Chillicothe men indicted on aggravated robbery charges in Highland County grand jury's October session
Two Chillicothe men are facing first-degree felony charges after being indicted in connection with an alleged aggravated robbery in Highland County, according to indictments handed down by a grand jury Tuesday, Oct. 3.
Cameron D. Renner, 19, and Darnell S. Thompson, 22, both of Chillicothe, were charged jointly with one count of complicity to aggravated robbery, a first-degree felony; one count of aggravated robbery, a first-degree felony; felonious assault, a second-degree felony; and two gun specifications. Renner is additionally charged with one count of having weapons while under disability, a third-degree felony.
The indictment alleges that on or about Aug. 16-17, Renner and Thompson “did knowingly aid or abet each other” and two other unnamed suspects in committing an aggravated robbery in Highland County. During the alleged theft offense, both suspects are accused of having a .40 caliber handgun that they “did display, brandish, indicate that [they] possessed or use.”
It is also alleged that the suspects “did knowingly cause or attempt to cause serious physical harm” to a victim by means of the firearm.
The indictment includes gun specifications for the aggravated robbery and felonious assault charges.
According to the indictment, Renner has “not been released from disability” due to a pending indictment in Ross County Common Pleas Court, involving a charge of improper discharge of a firearm at or into a habitation, a second-degree felony.
In other unrelated indictments:
• Mark David Younker, 28, of Xenia was charged with failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer, a third-degree felony; receiving stolen property, a fourth-degree felony; unlawful possession of a dangerous ordnance, a fifth-degree felony; and a forfeiture specification.
On or about Aug. 25, Younker is accused of operating “a motor vehicle … so as willfully to elude or flee a police officer after receiving a visible or audible signal from a police officer to bring [his] motor vehicle to a stop,” while “causing a substantial risk of serious physical harm to persons or property.” On the same date, it is alleged that Younker “did receive, retain or dispose of” a truck while “knowing or having reasonable cause to believe the property had been obtained through the commission of a theft offense.”
During these alleged events, Younker is accused of “knowingly acquiring, having, carrying or using” a sawed-off firearm. All of these events are alleged to have occurred “in Highland County and as a continuing course of criminal conduct in Ross County, Brown County and Clermont County.”
• James V. Brown Jr., 43, of Greenfield was charged with one count each of forgery and theft by deception, both fifth-degree felonies.
It is alleged that on or about June 30, Brown “did, with the purpose to defraud, or knowing that he was facilitating a fraud, utter or possess with purpose to utter” a check while “knowing it to have been forged.” During a period from June to July, he is also accused of “knowingly obtaining or exerting control over” $3,450 from a victim in Highland County.
• Andrew A. Caroppoli, 65, of Springfield was charged with one count of theft, a fifth-degree felony.
In March, it is alleged that Caroppoli “did knowingly obtain or exert control over” various items — including chainsaws, a blower, a tool set and other items — from an individual in Highland County without their consent.
In addition to the above-listed indictments, there were seven sealed cases this month, according to Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins.
An indictment is merely a charge and is not evidence of guilt.