The duo entered an apartment just before 4:30 a.m. Saturday in the 2200 block of East David Road using an unsecured window. They pointed handguns at the girls, ages 15 and 10, and attempted to steal items, but were chased out of the apartment by a dog, according to court documents. The suspects only managed to take one bag of chips.
Root and Taylor also matched the description of two suspects in an Oakwood burglary that took place earlier that night. The suspects in that incident left the guns stolen during the burglary in a bush that a jogger found the next morning.
While the jogger was reporting the guns, the suspects pulled up in a black Chevrolet Impala and asked the jogger whether he had found guns.
“The citizen explained he was on the phone with the police and the suspects drove off,” a statement of facts read. “The citizen confirmed the ID through a photo lineup.”
Kettering police found Root and Taylor with the assistance of Lewisburg police.
During an interview with Root, he confessed to the incidents reported in Kettering and Oakwood on Aug. 6 and 7, according to court records. Taylor reportedly refused to talk during an interview with police.
Officers found two handguns at Taylor’s residence, one of which was reported stolen. Police also found clothing matching the victims’ descriptions at both the suspect’s residences.
It is not clear whether the men have been charged in connection to the Oakwood incident.
During a hearing Tuesday in Kettering Municipal Court, bond was set at $125,000 for Taylor and $10,000 for Root, according to court records.
Their next court appearances are scheduled for Aug. 17.
Taylor is being held in the Montgomery County Jail. As of Wednesday afternoon, Root was not listed as an inmate.
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