Mother, sons allegedly ran burglary ring in Clark County

A mother and her two sons are accused of running a burglary ring and are facing second-degree felony charges for their actions, said Clark County Sheriff Gene Kelly.

Debbie Wright, 50, of 1605 Morgan St., Springfield, and her two sons, Michael Nawman, 27, and Brooks Nawman, 29, all face the felony charges of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity. The trio allegedly committed their home burglaries throughout Clark County from February through April, said Sheriff’s Office investigators.

Sheriff’s investigators spent months looking into several home burglaries in Springfield and Pleasant townships before arresting the suspects, Kelly said. The trio allegedly targeted rural houses, breaking in during the afternoon or early evening hours. The mother and sons would often knock on their victims’ front doors before entering to insure that no one was inside, he added.

“If someone did happen to answer the door, they would make up some excuse like ‘I ran out of gas and need money’ before they would then leave,” Kelly said.

Several similar home invasions under investigation in German Twp. could also be the work of the mother and sons, deputies said.

Wright was arrested Thursday after she was brought into the sheriff’s office for questioning related to the home burglaries, said Detective Dave Perks. Arrest warrants were later issued for her sons, who were arrested on Sunday and Monday. Brooks Nawman had left the area after his mother’s arrest and was picked up by Madison County sheriff’s deputies, said Clark County Sheriff”s Office Maj. Russell Garman.

All three pleaded not guilty to the felony charges during their municipal court arraignments. Wright posted bail for the $15,000 bond that was set during her arraignment, and Brooks and Michael Nawman remain in the Clark County Jail on $10,000 and $15,000 bonds, respectively.

The trio stole items worth thousands of dollars from the homes — which included jewelry, electronics and handguns — investigators said. But Garman said they left a trail of information behind when they then sold the stolen items to re-sale stores.

Homeowners are encouraged to lock the entrances to their homes while they are away and, if possible, invest in a home security system. Neighbors should also report suspicious people or activity in their neighborhood to law enforcement, said officials.

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