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Car thief suspect sought

PIONEER - Charges have been filed and the name of the suspect in the theft of Pioneer Mayor Ed KidstonÕs vehicle has been released.

Police are seeking Miles Thompson, 23, whose last known address was Alvordton, as a suspect in the theft of the mayorÕs car. According to Pioneer Police Chief Tom Saccenti, charges of unauthorized use of a vehicle crossing state lines have been filed. Other charges are pending. He said a carjacking charge and others have been leveled at Thompson by Michigan police.

Thompson, though still at large, apparently hasnÕt left the area. He allegedly stole gasoline from the Valero station at 501 W. Main St., Montpelier, at 3:15 p.m. Thursday. A reported 10.005 gallons of gasoline having a value of $40.01 was pumped into the car before Thompson allegedly left the station without paying.

Thompson is described as a white male, 6-foot tall, 153 pounds, with brown hair, blue eyes, and was last seen wearing dark colored jacket.

Thompson allegedly stole KidstonÕs car from his garage Tuesday.

At 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, Pioneer Police Department responded to a reported theft of a motor vehicle at KidstonÕs home. Upon the officerÕs arrival, Pioneer Police Chief Tom Saccenti was contacted and activated the agencyÕs investigative unit. Within 30 minutes of receiving the call the unit, which was led by Saccenti and Lt. Jeff Priester, had identified a person of interest in the investigation.

At approximately 7:15 a.m., the Lenawee County SheriffÕs Department advised deputies had located the mayorÕs vehicle and it had been involved in an automobile accident.

Deputies also said the operator of the vehicle had left the mayorÕs vehicle and carjacked a Good Samaritan who had stopped to help. KidstonÕs 2008 Chrysler Aspen was northbound on Sand Creek Highway and when he came around the slight curve at Carlton, the vehicle left the road, taking out a curve sign and striking a driveway culvert. The vehicle was severely damaged.

The car he allegedly jacked was described as a blue 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix.

Saccenti and Priester made contact with the victim of the carjacking. The victim positively identified the person of interest the Pioneer Police Department previously had identified.

ÒWe really appreciate Montpelier, Williams County SheriffÕs Department, and the Communications Center helping us out,Ó Saccenti said. ÒEverybodyÕs helped each other out in this. It was real good cooperation between everybody.Ó

Anyone seeing Thompson or with information on his whereabouts should call Pioneer Police at 419-737-2493 or Williams County Crimestoppers at 419-485-9302.

andy@bryantimes.com

Words integral to Myrna Grove's life
By SHARON PATTEN - Times & Trends Editor

Myrna Grove of Bryan has always loved to read. As an adult, she expanded that interest to writing as well -Êand is making writing her second career.

With her mother as her mentor, a love of reading, history and research was instilled in her from the beginning. Following in her mother's of Manchester College in Indiana, she received her master's degree in library science from Kent State University. During her teaching career with Bryan City Schools, she taught fourth grade and most recently, second grade. Throughout her career, she has been listed in various professional "Who's Who" publications. She grew up in the Church of the Brethren, and now is a member of the Lockport Mennonite Church in Stryker, where she directs a worship team.

Music also has played an important role in Myrna's life. She has played piano and organ, organized church programs and served as director and violinist with the Accent on Strings ensemble.

She has been an active member of the Williams County Community Concert Association Board since the 1980s.

Sharing knowledge is important to her - whether through teaching, her books or her actions. She re-enacts the one-room school experience at Hay Jay School for the Williams County Historical Society.

She also gives programs on various topics including the artwork of P. Buckley Moss (of which she is a collector), one-room schoolhouses, the Amish and Abraham Lincoln.

Myrna is a 10-year member of the Mazza Enthusiasts at the University of Findlay, which houses the largest collection of original artwork from children's picture books.

Writing and research are her passion. Her first two non-fiction books related to the personal experiences of her family, her father's struggle with cancer caused by asbestos (published in 1995) and her mother's teaching career in one-room schools (2000).

Her current book, "Alexander Mack: A Man Who Rippled the Waters," celebrates the Brethren faith and its 300th anniversary (2008).

She dedicated her book, "For her parents, Kedric and Florence Grove, whose lives exemplified the spirit of Christian service and love."

Myrna has traced her family's roots to the 16th century Swiss Anabaptists in the canton of Zurich and has traveled to ancestral homes in both Switzerland and Germany. She also is a member of the Hans Herr Foundation in Lancaster County, Pa., another ancestral home.

Traveling around the world, Myrna has visited West Africa, Venezuela, Europe, Switzerland, Ireland, France, Mexico, Canada and several U.S. states.

Today, Myrna is looking forward to the Monday release of her book on Alexander Mack, the first minister and organizer of the Brethren movement in 18th century Germany.

"It's kind of an immigrant story that not just Brethren can relate to," she says, "but a lot of our ancestors came through that process ... for freedom of religion in Pennsylvania."

The text is illustrated with 50 colorful oil paintings of important events and places in Mack's life and were drawn by Mary Jewell, a descendant of Mack and friend of Myrna.

The 9-by-11-inch hardcover book is aimed at children ages 8 through 12 and will educate people of all ages on Brethren beginnings.

"As a teacher you are always trying to spread and share knowledge," Myrna says. "You want people to learn and gain insight."

sharon@bryantimes.com

Myrna Grove In Profile
Home: Bryan
Occupation: Career educator, author
Something about Myrna that might surprise you: Myrna held an autograph session for her first book, "Asbestos Cancer: One Man's Experience" at Book Expo America in Chicago, Ill.
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