Teen admits to one, denies second theft of synthetic marijuana

A 17-year-old boy who has denied stealing synthetic marijuana by slipping down the chimney of Chops Leather Shop admitted to a separate breaking and entering offense Monday.

The teenager, of Newark, pleaded admit to one count of breaking and entering, the equivalent of a fifth-degree felony, for stealing 167 packets of synthetic marijuana -- called K2, posh or spice -- and alcohol from the Stop Mart, 413 Mount Vernon Road, on June 19.

The teen threw a rock at a window of the Stop Mart then kicked it until he and a 13-year-old friend could enter, he told Licking County Juvenile Court Judge Robert Hoover.

Newark police responded to an alarm at Stop Mart and found the boys near the creek along Buckingham Street. The younger boy ran away, but the 17-year-old stayed to speak with the officer, according to police reports.

On June 14 or June 15, the 17-year-old is suspected of breaking into Chops Leather Shop, 201 W. Main St., to steal synthetic marijuana and other items. He entered the building through the chimney then let two others in, Hoover said.

He was charged with one count of breaking and entering, the equivalent of a fifth-degree felony. He pleaded deny to that offense Friday.

The other two children have not been charged, Licking County Assistant Prosecutor Lia Meehan said.

Synthetic marijuana can cause seizures, hallucinations, nausea and elevated blood pressure, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration, which temporarily banned several chemicals used to produce the substance.

On Friday, Ohio Gov. John Kasich signed a bill that will ban the sale and possession of synthetic marijuana. It goes into effect 90 days after Friday.

The 17-year-old boy was living in an abandoned building on Mound Court without the permission of the owner when the offenses occurred. He did not want to live with his mother in Newark and was kicked out of his grandparents' house in Coshocton County.

He has a warrant from Muskingum County, where he was found delinquent of gross sexual imposition in a separate case.

The teenager was sent to juvenile detention to await disposition for the Stop Mart break-in, Hoover said.