Canfield swears in two officers; police describe credit-card fraud ring and chase that ended in crash

At a meeting of the Canfield City Council, the city swore in two new members of the police force and the police chief reported on a credit-card fraud investigation and a vehicle chase that ended in a crash.

Chief Chuck Colucci told the council that Austin Lane Dozier had completed the police academy and passed his state test, and that Matthew David Hunter had been sworn in as an auxiliary (non‑sworn) officer. "It's more than just wearing a badge," Colucci said during the swearing-in ceremony, adding that officers represent "the city of Canfield, our businesses, our schools, our residents." Colucci said the department has successfully hired several officers in recent months and emphasized standards of professionalism and integrity.

Colucci also described two ongoing police matters. He said Detective Wells identified Keelante Thomas as a suspect in an unauthorized‑charge investigation; investigators located 21 additional city residents whom Colucci said were victims. Colucci said those additional charges will be presented to grand juries. "Our detectives did a great job," he said.

On separate incidents, Colucci described a one‑vehicle crash near the courthouse in which four occupants fled the scene; officers apprehended two people and were searching for two others. He also summarized a later vehicle pursuit that entered Canfield from the east, which he said involved a stolen vehicle. The pursuit ended in a crash; officers apprehended one suspect and were working leads on two others. Colucci said the Ohio Highway Patrol provided helicopter support and that local, county and federal partners—including Columbiana, county K-9 teams, drone units, the FBI and U.S. Marshals—assisted in searches. "It was a tremendous team effort," he said.

Colucci said the individuals involved in one crash were identified from surveillance footage and that one of the apprehended suspects has a juvenile detention history. He praised officers who conducted an extensive ground search: "[Sergeant] Aaron Young and his partner did a 7.4 mile search," Colucci said.

City Manager (name not specified in the transcript) also commented briefly, thanking the department for its response during an active week for public safety.

The council gathered for a group photo after the swearing-in ceremony; the meeting proceeded to regular agenda items afterward.

Ending

The chief did not provide arrest charges or court dates for the suspects who were taken into custody; he said investigators are continuing to develop leads and will present additional cases to prosecutors. The sworn officer, Austin Lane Dozier, and auxiliary member, Matthew David Hunter, were welcomed by council and staff and photographed with family and department members after the ceremony.