Butler County Sheriff's Office

[Public Info Officer]

News for Immediate Release ……………………………..March 21, 2011

Tri-County Burglars in Custody

Sheriff Richard K. Jones announced this morning that two suspects are in custody and one is being sought in a rash of daytime residential burglaries. Over the past two months, the Tri-County area to include: Hamilton County, Warren County and Butler County have seen an increase in residential burglaries. Investigators from all three counties have developed a connection in the crime spree by the method of entry and items removed from the houses. Evidence taken from two of the locations identified a suspect in the cases.

On March 17, a residential alarm was activated in Madison Twp., Butler County. Responding deputies were able to get a description of the van and locate the vehicle a short time later. The vehicle contained items that were stolen from several locations throughout the Tri-State area. The vehicle was impounded and held for evidence in the cases and investigators were able to apprehend two of the three suspects in the investigation. A third suspect is still being sought.

The suspects in custody are identified as Jessica Coffey, a 26 year old female from Hamilton and a Courtney R. Ralston, a 21 year old female from Hamilton. Ms. Coffey is currently being held in the Butler County Jail on Burglary charges. Ms. Ralston is currently in the Warren County Jail on Burglary charges. A third suspect, William Allen Lane, a 19 year old male is wanted for questioning in the cases as well as an outstanding warrant for his arrest.

With the apprehension of these two suspects, Investigators in Butler County have been able to connect them to ten (10) residential burglaries in Liberty Twp., Fairfield Twp. and Madison Twp.

Investigators are currently working with Hamilton County and Warren County and believe that this group is responsible for over 30 residential burglaries in the Tri-State area.