News Summary

In the early hours of Wednesday, numerous break-ins and acts of vandalism targeted at least six businesses in Stark County, Ohio, primarily in Canton. The affected establishments, including Darting Around and Anomaly, suffered significant damage, with windows smashed and cash registers tampered. Ongoing investigations are complicated due to the lack of surveillance cameras at many locations, though police believe a suspect may have been captured on nearby bank security footage. Local business owners are expressing their concerns over safety and community security amid these distressing incidents.

Multiple Businesses Targeted in Overnight Break-Ins and Vandalism Across Stark County, Ohio

Canton – Early Wednesday morning, multiple police agencies were called to investigate a series of break-ins and vandalism incidents that affected at least six businesses across Stark County, Ohio. The incidents primarily occurred in Canton, where five businesses at two adjacent plazas were targeted.

Canton police received alarms from the businesses just before 2 a.m., alerting them to the disturbances at the 30th Street Plaza near Cleveland Avenue. The businesses affected included Darting Around and Anomaly, both of which sustained extensive damage with windows and glass doors smashed. Across the street in the North Plaza, three additional businesses—Elegant Nails, Dr. Trips Travel, and Hairs to You Salon—were also vandalized.

In total, the break-ins resulted in significant damage to windows, doors, and cash register drawers, with reports of tampered or missing money boxes. Fortunately, one of the businesses had left a key in its cash register, but it appears that the intruder did not access it.

The investigations face challenges since several affected businesses did not have surveillance cameras, complicating efforts to identify the suspect. Canton police believe the perpetrator may have been captured on nearby bank security cameras and could have been seen fleeing the crime scenes. A police K-9 unit tracked a scent from the crime scenes behind the 30th Street Plaza to an assisted living facility’s parking lot, but the scent was ultimately lost.

As of now, no arrests have been made. In the aftermath of the break-ins, all affected businesses in the Canton area have boarded up their premises to secure them against further vandalism. In addition to the incidents in Canton, Stark County Sheriff’s deputies responded to an additional break-in at French Tip Nails Salon in Plain Township, where a front window was shattered. Details surrounding this incident remain pending as the investigation continues.

Furthermore, Jackson Township police have been asked to investigate whether any businesses in the Belden Village area experienced similar break-ins. Reports indicate that many of the businesses were primarily vandalized with little to no valuables taken.

Business owners expressed their frustration over the break-ins, underscoring their concern for safety and the desire to see the perpetrator caught. Local business owners fear that continued vandalism could disrupt their operations and affect the sense of community security.

In a related incident, video footage from Whiskers Wings and Wild Things pet shop captured what appears to be a suspect wearing a hoodie while committing acts of vandalism at the nearby salon. The police have urged the public to come forward with any information that could assist in their investigation regarding these alarming incidents.

Canton police stress the importance of public assistance in solving the case and are actively seeking tips from anyone who may have seen suspicious activity in the area.

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Additional Resources

• Cleveland 19 News
• Fox 8 News
• Canton Repository
• News 5 Cleveland
• WKYC 3 News
• Wikipedia: Crime in the United States
• Google Search: business break-ins Stark County
• Google Scholar: business vandalism
• Encyclopedia Britannica: crime statistics
• Google News: business vandalism Ohio

Author: STAFF HERE CLEVELAND WRITER

CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER The CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER represents the seasoned team at HERECleveland.com, your premier source for actionable local news and information in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and beyond, delivering "news you can use" with in-depth coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news impacting the region—backed by years of expert reporting and robust community input, including local press releases and business updates, while providing top reporting on high-profile events like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions, Cleveland International Film Festival, and holiday parades, alongside key organizations such as the Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Orchestra, and Great Lakes Science Center, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare like Sherwin-Williams and University Hospitals, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREDayton.com, offering comprehensive, credible insights into Ohio's vibrant landscape. HERE Cleveland HERE Dayton