Police raid wrong house in Struthers in drug sweep

Vindy.com ^

[Borough Park]

Cops mistakenly converge on wrong home in Struthers

By John W. Goodwin Jr.

jgoodwin@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

A case of mistaken identity nearly roped a Struthers family into one of the largest drug sweeps in the area this year.

Doreen Fox of Lewis Street, Struthers, was home with her 30-year-old son Wednesday morning preparing to leave for a doctor’s appointment when she noticed movement outside the home. She opened the front door to a flood of local and federal police.

“They [police] were in my front yard, my rear yard; they had my house surrounded. When I opened the door to see what was going on, there was an officer with a gun out not far from my stomach,” she said. “I am still shaking.”

Officers informed Doreen they were looking for her 24-year-old son, David Fox, in connection with a large-scale heroin operation.

The problem is David Fox, at least the David Fox from Lewis Street, is a third-year law student in Cincinnati and working for a government agency in Columbus during the summer.

[coloradan]

An isolated incident, no doubt.

[Not now, Not ever!]

Looks like this PD just volunteered to pay for his law degree and then some.

[mylife]

The Ytown PD suck.

I just hope Elmton Pizza is still there

[Drill Thrawl]

Of course I trust the gubment. Why do you ask?

[Secret Agent Man]

I am sorry but these particular cops are too effing stupid to be armed and stay on the job. They have deadly effing weapons and special protection from eff-ups on the job. They need to be fired and I hope the lady brings a lawsuit and wins big.

[Nate505]

Did they at least get to shoot a dog?

[JimBianchi11]

Yeah, I can’t believe they didn’t shoot the dog!

[RaginRak]

It’s the fault of whomever supervisor sent them, not the foot soldiers. that person made the decision. It was conducted by the regional task force which is composed of different law enforcement agencies. Try being a cop in Y’town...it ain’t easy
The Elmton is still there, was there tonight in fact.

[RaginRak]

BTW the incident occurred in STRUTHERS. the story was reported in the Youngstown newspaper.

[andyk]

not the foot soldiers.

Sadly, that characterization is not far from the truth.

[Pontiac]

Ohio Ping

[goat granny]

Right....SWAT seems to be dumber than the average cop. I wonder what the requirements are for that job...Sounds like #1 you must be illiterate, unable to read anything more complicated than This is spot, see spot run.. #2 only able to read 3 numbers #3 get a stupid judge to OK your actions...

[Pontiac]

I actually think this raid turned out surprisingly well.

They did not break down the door. It did not turn out to be a ‘No Knock Warrant” raid. They did not search the house.

But the question that will go unanswered is; did it turn out so well because Doreen Fox happened to notice the movement outside her home before the raid actually began?

I half suspect that it did. Mother Fox preempted the raid and saved the police some further embarrassment and saved her home some serious damage. She may have saved her son’s and her own life.

[HiTech RedNeck]

they didn’t shoot the dog because she only had cats.

[Tainan]

"She said after much discussion, the officers realized the mistake and were apologetic to the family. The police were at the house about 15 minutes and at no point were rude or disrespectful, she added."

A good ending to what might have been a very bad situation.

[VanShuyten]

"Officers informed Doreen they were looking for her 24-year-old son, David Fox, in connection with a large-scale heroin operation. The problem is David Fox, at least the David Fox from Lewis Street, is a third-year law student in Cincinnati and working for a government agency in Columbus during the summer.

Doesn't mean the kid isn't dealing heroin. Just saying....

[Puckster]

Viking kitties....the PD was hesitant seeing them in the doorway chomping at the bit for some action.

[TChad]

It’s ALWAYS the right house.

[WePledge]

I think that's how they're going to “retire” their K9
dogs.If the homeowner targeted for a no knock home invasion
aka warrant doesn't have a beloved pet available to gun down, the retiring “man's best friend” will selflessly throw itself into a hail of gunfire. [sniff and sarc]