In 2009, The Brinks Company here in Columbus became the victim of a largely publicized burglary. During the offense, the suspects used a cell phone jammer to override the security system, drilled holes in the roof of the building, and cut into the vault with a specialized drill. Using a thermal rod, the suspects were able to gain limited access into the cash vault where some cash was removed. However, burning of the vault door caused embers to ignite materials inside the vault, including some of the money, and the subsequent smoke and fire caused the burglars to abandon their attempts at removing additional cash. The suspects then entered a coin room where a significant amount of Susan B. Anthony one-dollar coins and 50-cent pieces were taken. The total loss was over 2.7 Million dollars.
After several months of investigative work with the F.B.I., Detective McIntosh traveled to Boston Massachusetts to interview a suspect with F.B.I. agents. With information from this interview, $380,000 in cash and coins were recovered from a self storage unit. The unit also contained gas torches used to cut through the roof of the Brinks building, radios, and cell-phone jamming devices. Detective McIntosh submitted evidence for DNA analysis from the recovered evidence, specifically instructing that the batteries be processed. Since the suspects were wearing gloves there were no prints available at the scene, but the batteries for the communications device would have been loaded prior to the arrival at the scene. With information from the interview and the analysis of the physical evidence, Detective McIntosh developed enough probable cause to file Federal Burglary, Racketeering and Conspiracy charges on 3 suspects. The case concluded several weeks ago with all 3 suspects being convicted and receiving a total combined sentence of over 34 years, along with being ordered to pay restitution of 1.2 million dollars.
Detective McIntosh’s significant institutional knowledge as it relates to property crimes, and his being able to provide historical reference to cases decided by the prosecutor’s office speak volumes for his dedication to duty. It most certainly holds true that Detective McIntosh upholds his oath of office, especially the last six words, “To the best of my ability,” with each and every investigation of which he is a part. For that we are happy to be naming him Central Ohio Crime Stoppers Officer of the Month for June 2012.
