Crawford County Now Editor:

I sold a business in Crestline, Ohio; Freezer Fresh Drive-In, in 2022 by means of a land contract sale to whom was reputable purchaser with strong ties to Crestline.  When the purchaser defaulted on payment of the property taxes, I terminated the agreement in February, 7 months past the original agreement date; and gave the purchaser 3 days to gather personal belongings from the buildings.  When I inspected the property after the deadline, the buildings and equipment were dirty, and 2 machines were removed and replaced although the agreement said that all alterations were to be approved by owner.

The next morning, I found that the purchaser entered the buildings after the termination date and removed the replacement machines by cutting the wiring and leaving exposed, The original machines were in the storage room in pieces.  There was also removal of additional original equipment per agreement listing totaling nearly $20,000; total equipment damage and theft exceeding $50,000.  The business included 2 apartment rentals, one of which was empty and in complete disrepair.  The purchaser also collected March rent from the other tenant which he was not entitled to collect.

I called the Crestline Police Department to file a trespass warning and police report on breaking & entering, vandalism and theft of equipment and money.   I explained that there was substantial loss due to equipment theft and damage and would get a complete list later that day.  The officer would not enter the buildings to survey the situation and collect information to press charges or interview neighbors and tenant for statements.  Later that day when I met with the officer with the missing inventory list, he informed me that he already spoke to the village attorney and prosecutor and that this was deemed as civil matter, and no charges would be filed.  Follow up communications from my attorney and myself to the police department and prosecutor went unanswered.  No one from these offices ever looked at the agreement or viewed the damages regardless of the fact that unlawful entry and theft of property is a crime.

The Purchaser has intentionally stolen equipment to compensate for the loss of his investment and failure with the business.  He misrepresented ownership on Facebook and stated, “he would continue to look for buyers” for the property as they were pursuing a “family opportunity and would not be opening in 2024.”  Since we no longer have access to the Freezer Fresh Facebook page; further communications on this page may be false and misleading.  Further damages have been incurred due to lack of maintenance and cleaning required for machines and rental apartments.  This Purchaser lives in Richland County increasing the difficulty to investigate; he is also planning on moving out of state.  To pursue this situation as a civil matter will cost thousands of dollars to sue with no guarantee of collection and the Purchaser could flee to bankruptcy under one of his many LLCs and not incur any personal responsibility.

The Purchaser has direct family members within the Crestline Village Administration and other highly influential family members in the community, no support for me from the Crestline Police Department and Prosecutors Office; effectively, the Purchaser is being permitted to get away with breaking the law.  The condition of the equipment and buildings prevents me from selling the business in the same operational condition as when this Purchaser assume operations and would result in further losses for me as the injured party.

I do not understand how unlawful entry and theft is anything but a crime and why I cannot get help from the authorities; if the tables were turned or this occurred on S. Seltzer St, I am sure it would be handled differently and timely.

Freezer Fresh has been a local landmark for 73 years and is another casualty of the continued decline of Crestline.  The pool is closing, a bank, the local deli and the school is in trouble; hopefully this situation will bring some needed attention to our community and rally for a true “Crestline Comeback” that is beneficial for the entire community and not a select few.

Chad Parkison

820 W. Main St

Crestline, Ohio 44827