Three People in Suspected Burglary Ring Arraigned in Mentor

Three may be involved in a ring that broke into more than a dozen houses throughout Lake County, police said.

Rose Santos, Robert Nelson and Rodney Williams were all arraigned Monday morning in .

They all face charges of burglary and possession of drug abuse instruments.

Williams, 32, of Madison Township, also faces a misdemeanor of driving with a suspended license.

Santos, 47 of Painesville, and Nelson, 29 of Madison Township, are also accused of possessing criminal tools – specifically credit cards, pliers and wrenches that police think they used to break into a house on Stockbridge Road.

Police had staked out Stockbridge Road Friday because of previous break-ins in the neighborhood, Powers said.

When another break-in happened that day, police stopped a Buick LeSabre with Nelson and Williams in it. They also stopped Santos, who was walking on foot nearby.

Police found jewelry that had been taken from the house on Santos and in the LeSabre, Powers said.

Nelson, Williams and Santos will likely face more charges after their case is heard by the Lake County grand jury.

Police believe that trio, as well as several others, are involved in the string of break-ins that have plagued Mentor, Painesville Township and Madison Township , Powers said.

Powers added that police are looking for other people who they believe are involved.

When asked why the suspects would break into houses, Powers noted that the suspects were found with syringes.

"We believe it's possible related to drugs," he said.

All three suspects have previous convictions for theft, Mentor Police Court Liaison Martha Eyman said during their arraignments.

During his hearing, Nelson asked Judge John Trebets for a personal bond.

"I wasn't involved in the actual burglary," he said.

Trebets said he couldn't discuss the details of the case and suggested Nelson talk to his attorney. He set all three of their bonds at $110,000, which none of them posted. Their next court hearing is scheduled for Thursday.