Mentor Woman Accused of Helping to Steal Power Washer

A Mentor woman is accused of driving the getaway car for a friend who stole a power washer, Mentor Police Lt. Tom Powers said.

Diane Jenda, 25, was arrested Wednesday and arraigned today on a charge of complicity to burglary in Mentor Municipal Court.

 The burglary happened Wednesday afternoon on Inland Shores Drive, which is off of Lake Shore Boulevard, Powers said.

A witness saw a man sneak into a neighbor's garage and steal her power washer. The witness immediately told the homeowner.

Then the homeowner ran down the street where she saw the man loading her power washer into the trunk of a car. The woman got a good look at the driver of the car, who is thought to be Jenda, and its license plate, Powers said.

Police tracked Jenda through the license plate and arrested her. Officers are still looking for the power washer and the man who took it.

The crime was not completely random, Powers explained. The grandmother of the man who stole the power washer sometimes babysits for the victim, he said.

Judge John Trebets set Jenda's bond at $10,000, which was not posted this morning.

Her next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 24.

If convicted of complicity, Jenda could be sentenced to between two and eight years in prison.